Courtesy Photo This 1969 photo submitted by Jan Melville shows her daughter, Lori, opening her Crissy doll on Christmas morning while her dad, Ken, watches Greg and Lori open their gifts.

Christmas has always been a special time for us. The birth of our Savior, the beautiful church services, and the church programs are things we always anticipated. But the one I remember the most was an event that I did not anticipate.

At a recent Melville luncheon, we were discussing the beautiful tint of red hair our newest 1-year-old, Harper Skye, has.

That led to discussing some of the other family members with curly red/auburn hair, Lorraine, Laura, and our daughter, Lori.

Laughter erupted as we had a flashback to the Christmas of 1969.

Remember, this was long before the availability of rapid online shopping.

Our daughter, Lori, just knew Santa was going to bring her the beautiful auburn-haired Crissy doll. For a kid with red hair already teased, the hope of a doll that embraced that attribute was all that mattered.

Crissy was much in demand that year, because she was wearing an orange mini dress, with silky auburn hair that could be cranked up and down even to her toes.

My daughter and Crissy would have the same hair color.

Except this thrifty mother, Santa’s ambassador, waited for her daughter’s dream gift to go on sale. I waited and over-waited, and, when I decided it was time to purchase Crissy, Alpena was completely sold out.

Now, what could I do? Aha!

My sister-in-law, Laura, lived in Battle Creek. Certainly, she could help.

She started the search immediately, but the best she could do was the promise of a shipment coming in on the 22nd.

She placed her name on a waiting list, and purchased it as soon as it arrived.

How could she get it to Alpena to be opened on Christmas Eve?

Crissy would take the Smith Bus to Alpena and arrive on the 23rd, at 11:30 that night. While others awaited the arrival of loved ones, I awaited the arrival of Crissy.

After passengers had all unloaded their luggage, I approached the bus driver to claim Crissy. She was here, for sure, but I had to claim her at the office.

He wasn’t sure if it would be open Christmas Eve day.

With tears in my eyes, I explained that it was a doll for a very special little girl to open the next night. He thought for awhile, and said, “Well, it is Christmas.”

I signed a paper and left holding my precious gift.

Crissy was there to delight my daughter the next night.

She still has her Crissy doll as a reminder of that wonderful Christmas. I will always remember the kindness of my dear sister-in-law, Laura, and the special bus driver for believing in sharing happiness at Christmas.

Merry Christmas from the Ken Melville family!

— Janice Melville, and

her daughter, Lori Staffeld,

Alpena