8. This Week's Stories and Requests for Help/Blast from the past We try to
post stories and comments from our readers each week. Send your story to
newsletter@tias.com.

Here's a reprint of a Christmas story published December 2006:

Every year at Christmas I think of when I was eight years old and wanted a
bike for Christmas ( that was 47years ago).  We didnCÇÖt have a lot but there
was always Christmas, my parents operated a gas station / convenience store as
they are called today.  We had many regular customers and my mom must have
told one of the regulars that I wanted a bike for Christmas and he said he had
one for $10.00.  It was Christmas Eve when he brought it to my parents and
they were in total shock but did not want to hurt his feelings and no time to
purchase a bike they brought it home anyway.  Christmas morning I remember
being so excited and came downstairs to see and there was my bike.  My mom
said she just held her breath.  My exact words were CÇ£I got a new bike!  But
itCÇÖs a used one.  It needed paint, the bracket to hold a light on the front
fender was there but the light was missing and the seat needed to be
replaced.  I can still see it. However after the opening our other gift I was
into warm clothes and boots (we live in Minnesota) outside I went with my new
used bike.  I know my parents felt really bad about the bike but I donCÇÖt
remember every complaining about it because I got a bike and was happy as can
be and my neighbor friends and I road all over town for many years until it
wasnCÇÖt cool anymore. Something else that comes to mind is not one neighbor
friend ever made fun of my bike, I guess back then name brands and newest
didnCÇÖt really mean that much we were happy with what we received with love. 
Thank you for allowing this warm and fuzzy memory.  Merry Christmas from
Brenda S.


Comments, thoughts?  We collect interesting stories about collecting.  Things
like your best find, unusual collections, bizarre collectibles.  Anything and
everything that is interesting that has to do with collecting.  We may publish
it here.  Send your story to newsletter@tias.com
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--- BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Toy-3
 * Origin: Prism bbs (1:261/38)