IT’S the time of the year for songs and prayers celebrating the birth of the Christ Child, Santa Claus, and the lively soca parties, rum and black cake: A celebration, West Indian style: The Christmas season; that special, wonderful time of children’s fascination with the spectacular Christmas trees; and dear old Santa bringing toys and joy to earnest, innocent hearts. A little girl who had already made her wish held her grandmother’s hand firmly as they exited the crowded market. The old lady’s two buckets of sorrel and carambola had all been sold, putting a few extra dollars in her pocket for the season. She would be able to give her three grandchildren a nice little Christmas in their cozy little home.

Tamika was a great helper; a wonderful child, and she had wished for a special gift: A Barbie doll; the real Barbie. She had many dolls from Christmases past and birthdays, but it was the beautiful, glamorous Barbies in the shopping plaza showcases that her little heart yearned for. She knew her grandmother could not buy her one with her meager earnings, but she still wished, holding onto hopes that the Christmas spirit would bring good tidings in their poor lives.
A heavy drizzle came down as they walked to the bus park, and they hurriedly sought shelter under a hardware store’s awning. Across the street, a little way off, was the shopping plaza that she often passed on the way home from the market. Always, she would stop and stare at the superb toys that were every child’s dreams.
The rain eased, and they continued walking to the park; and as they came close to the store, a sales clerk brought out a new doll to put in the display window.
The little girl drew in her breath sharply, for it was the doll of her dreams, beautifully dressed in a soft pink party dress, long, curly, black tresses and a dazzling smile. But what captured the child’s heart most was the doll’s ebony skin, just like hers. Her grandmother looked at her questioningly, and she pointed to the doll in the store’s window. The old lady shook her head regretfully, and the child sadly turned her eyes away. As she turned to have one last look at her dream doll before turning the corner, she gasped loudly, not believing her eyes.
The ebony Barbie doll had seemingly come to life, and waved to the child. “What is the matter, child?” her grandmother asked impatiently.
“Look, grandma!” the little girl gushed excitedly. “The Barbie doll waved at me!”
“Oh dear Lord!” the old woman said as she shook her head in exasperation. “Your imagination is really running wild.”
“It’s true!” the little girl insisted, but her grandmother was not in the mood to listen. Tamika couldn’t understand, wondering now if her eyes had played tricks on her.
As she walked away, the doll blinked her eyes and smiled; just a little smile; a miracle of Christmas.
That night, it continued to rain, and Tamika, huddled between the comfort of her grandmother’s jasmine-scented sheets, whispered sleepily:
“Dear God, I know my grandma can’t buy me a real Barbie, but in my dreams, if only I could play with her…”
Her voice trailed off as she fell asleep, and out the window flew that wish into the starry night.
Dreams, from Heaven they came, playing, laughing, filling the innocent hearts with beautiful things.
Tamika’s soft laughter as she played in her dreams with the ebony Barbie doll passed through the creases in the wall, awakening her grandmother. The old lady looked at the child for a long moment, knowing that in dreams, she was somewhere happy with something she truly loved.
The old lady sighed resignedly as though she had made up her mind about something. Returning to her bedroom, she opened her wardrobe and took out an old tin box, hidden at the back. It had been years since she had had cause to open the box. She stared at her precious few pieces of fine jewellery, and selected a small heart-shaped brooch that had enough value to pay for a special gift.
The last few days before Christmas were busy at the market, what with grandma’s own late-shopping on Christmas Eve from the money she’d earned. What a loving family she had, she mused, and in their own small way, they had always had a happy and enjoyable Christmas. Such a beautiful time!
On Christmas morning, Tamika opened her gift and smiled happily at her doll carrying case.
“Thank you, Grandma,” she said, hugging her, and as she turned to go, her grandmother said:
“You need a doll for that case; a special doll.”
She handed the surprised child another gift that she had hidden behind the Christmas tree. Tamika opened it slowly, and cried out in astonishment. It was the ebony Barbie doll from the shopping plaza.
“Grandma!” she said between laughter and tears, as her little heart filled with joy. “Thank you, thank you, I love you so much.”
Heaven had granted a wish on Christmas morning, to a good child.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Written By Maureen Rampertab