It was about 1965. I was about ten and my brother Rick was eight.

We had saved a dime a week at school and had sold coke bottles for the deposits for months. We each had $8.00 to spend on Christmas gifts for our family and friends. Mom dropped us off at the very best store in the world:

G.C. Murphey’s Five and Dime.

It seemed you could find anything there…at least for two children with not much to spend, just a magic place to us…

Rick and I searched for hours for just the right set of dish towels for our sister-in-law, Linda and debated endlessly on white or blue costume jewelry for our mom(jewelry by the way, she treasured till the day she died…and I have it still)We found just the right pair of socks for our brother Ed, a screwdriver for our brother Jerry and even managed to find something for each other.

I'll never forget the magic of the store in its brilliant Christmas colors, the happiness my brother and I felt, and the joy we had in giving to our loved ones that day.
It was wonderful.
It was Magic.
It was Christmas. Maria Lindberg
Pensacola News Journal 1996 Updated 2001

~~Christmas Magic Note~~

We didn’t have much…but we loved what we had…Find the Magic of Christmas… Within yourself…And keep it all year long. Find a child who will not have the Magic of Christmas…Who won’t experience that new doll smellThat joy of Santa Claus And in believing… Contact your local Salvation Army…the Marines Toys for Tots…Your local church…Walmart always has an angel tree…Find out how you can make A Christmas bright… For a child in need…Don’t just save this feeling of sharing for Christmas..Share the Magic of Christmas All year round... Believe as a child believes…In everything you do.…And you will find “True Magic.” I know I have… Maria “Rhee”