If Wishes Were Horses

By JoAnn Wagner

I remember when stores began playing Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving. That was also when radio stations began playing songs like “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Winter Wonderland.” Joy was in the air as the days grew shorter and colder.

About the same time, the Sears Wish Book arrived. My mother always said, “If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.” I ignored her words and spent hours looking through the catalog, knowing there would be one present from Santa and one from my parents. Those were the days before we had television, so our only exposure to the latest and greatest toys was this magical catalog. For all the time I spent dreaming, I knew that just because I requested something, that didn’t mean I would receive it. But with childlike naivete, I always hoped my wishes would become reality.

One of the most welcome presents I remember receiving was a record player and some records with songs and fairy tales for kids. I remember “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic,” “The Big Rock Candy Mountain,” and other songs that provided pictures in my mind that took me to incredible places. I could see the soda water fountains, lemonade springs, and hear the blue birds singing.
I wondered if the hens really could lay soft-boiled eggs?

Another opportunity to wish came with the Thanksgiving and Christmas turkeys. My brother and I made our wishes as we pulled on the wishbone. At Thanksgiving I wished for a special gift for Christmas. At Christmas I wished for a birthday present which is in January. With practice, we learned that how one held the wishbone made a difference in the leverage. The person who got the top piece was supposed to have their wish come true. My brother was older and probably figured out the secret to winning before I did. But I think we both knew that our wishes were probably like the horses that didn’t appear for beggars.

Jo Ann Wagner is a contributing writer for Lincoln 55+ magazine.