Narrative Essay - Personal Experience

Every now and then I would win $5 on a scratch off, Nothing deemed amazing among the presents left under my tree. And with the taste of Christmas in the air and the semi-sweet smell of peppermint candy-canes traveling through my lungs, money could not be found present in my mind. 4 years ago, however, I could not find myself paying attention to my gifts. Received annually from my grandparents were scratch-off lottery tickets, something that was rarely in my hands and inspired hope for being that lucky winner. Past experiences told me not to hold my breath, but in fact, by the time I scratched it clean I could not breathe. Printed in All gold, I read and re-read it frantically. I had just won $10,000.
My blood pumped, mind raced, and heart seemed to be trying to escape its rib chamber. Surrounded by my family I felt it hard to conceal my excitement any longer. In a burst of impulse I made my winning ticket known to the rest of the room. The ticket passed around the room as their facial muscles molded into the characteristics of disbelief. I half couldn’t believe it myself but slowly as the moments passed by the winning ticket was set in stone in my mind. After traveling through the room and back to me I grabbed it and hurried to my room. The well known peppermint scent and handfuls of gifts that still left unopened seemed to disappear from my thoughts altogether. I started making a list of things I would buy, saving no amount to save. A new bike, a go-kart, games, anything I could think of. My list must have been 10 pages long by the time I finished. But in my frenzy I again became aware of my other presents, and the people who generously got them for me. I headed back into my living room without my list of things I wanted to buy right away; I didn’t want to hurt loved ones feelings with a list of things I wanted but did not receive. I opened the remainder of my gifts, among them was a new Playstation2, one of the highest ranking gifts on my newly made list. Although I had what was necessary to get it on my own, my eyes glimmered when the wrapping paper left the box to expose my prize. With this alone my Christmas would have been complete, and so it was. At last it was the time of the day when I would call my grandparents to wish them a merry Christmas and thank them for their gifts. As soon as I was handed the phone I explained what had happened. With a few chuckles from them along with an echo of laughter across the room, I was told to read the back. I read out loud “To redeem: Fill out claim form provided by the Tooth Fairy and send to Santa Clause: 777 Christmas Lane, The North Pole.” As a cry of hysterical laugh accumulated I found myself confused. Then coming into a harsh realization I smirked then laughed along. I would have never guessed that my grandparents could pull a trick so horrible yet hilarious. Although my hopes were high, the trick came with no real consequence. My Christmas was complete, filled with laughter, the perfect gift, family, and the semi-sweet smell of peppermint candy-canes.