Sisters’ Christmas /25

I had long wanted to “take it on,” and this time I embraced it. My childhood was beautiful because I had loving Mom and Dad, caring Grandparents, and an older Sister who, though I may have been quite a thorn “in the side” at first, became my inseparable friend as I grew up and gave up childish mischief. What bright memories we share from childhood, when we stayed home alone before Christmas baking Kūčiukai. Aside from clouds of flour and sticky dough covering the kitchen — we baked PLENTY.
I vividly remember how we saved our pocket money all year and went to the Panevėžys market to buy gifts for Mom and Dad. The budget was small, the wishes big, but the process itself brought joy I still feel today. We would freeze in the cold while searching for THE BEST gift. One Christmas, when “Ariel” detergent appeared, we decided it would make Mom happiest, turning the boxes in our gloved hands and sniffing them with cold noses, unable to choose which smelled nicer, so we postponed the decision.
We also searched for gifts hidden on the mezzanine shelves. Once we found them but were disappointed — the box held only “bubble gum” eggs, not the main presents from our letters to Santa. After tasting one each, we hid them back and reminded each other to act surprised during the celebration. We always carefully wrapped gifts, trying to make every small bundle as beautiful as possible.
There was no need to write a script for the “Sisters’ Christmas” photoshoot — the best screenwriter, Life, did it for me. What raised us both returned in memories and settled into a warm, truthful film.