Moon’s Favorite Christmas Present

It was around 1956 or 1957. My dad had fallen on hard times. Not to say that before then they were easy times! I had been accustomed to three or four Christmas presents. And, then the next month receiving birthday presents on January 28. But, that year, well I got one.  To enjoy for both Christmas and New Year's.  Yet, I remember and cherish that memory the most.

It was this:

Not exactly like the one pictured but one similar. And, it was so difficult to put together. I know as an adult I am a klutz, but as a boy I was even worse.

I can still remember the smell of the glue -- now, don't go there -- the feel of the heavy plastic in my hand as I would lift the jet to the stratosphere and then gently bring it back to a cushion-y landing on earth.

I wish I had kept it. I still have some of my toys but not the one I loved the most. Life is like that, isn't it?

Merry Christmas.