Memories

Come And Buy My Toys

13 December, 2012 (12:00) | Memories

When I was kid, we had an uncle that would give us a $100 bill if he were in town during our birthday. He was in twice for my birthday, and both of my $100 bills got spent at the fine establishment of Toys R US. In 1 trip each. The first time, it was $100 worth of Micro Machines and the second time it was $100 worth of LEGO sets. I Can’t believe my mom didn’t say a word. I think the Micro Machine packages were $3.99 each, with 3 or 4 cars in each package. I still remember the young blonde cashier’s expression as her eyes got big as if to say, “Really?? You’re buying that many?!?” I proudly returned a satisfied smirk as if to say, “Yep, ring ’em up.”

I grew out of micro machines after a few years. I enjoyed them immensely, but it was certainly a toy that required you to “act out” and I wasn’t so into that. I enjoyed displaying, collecting, and building. So, yeah, I still have the pieces for the LEGO sets, but the micro machines were all sold at a flee market that my mom took me and Travis to. Yet again, I’m surprised she didn’t say a word when I let my entire micro machine collection go for dollars. I don’t remember the exact amount, but I’m sure it wasn’t $100. I’m sure it wasn’t $50.

That said, thanks, Mom. Thanks for letting me take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them on my own. In a time where we were on food stamps, living on potatoes and onions, you let me live. You let me play. For those that know me well today, just think how uptight and boring I could have been if I were told my whole childhood I couldn’t have anything because we needed to save every penny or else.

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