It was the Christmas of 1983—the year of the great Cabbage Patch Wars. Department store aisles turned into bustling battlegrounds, where weary parents, driven by unwavering love and the hope of creating magical moments, fought through the chaos for one goal: Secure the Cabbage Patch doll at all costs. Their determination was fueled by visions of their children’s faces lighting up with joy and hearts brimming with delight on Christmas morning.
The air buzzed that year with the tension of Christmas shopping, but no item stirred the hearts—or tempers—of parents quite like that doll. With their wide eyes and yarn hair, Cabbage Patch Kids were more than mere toys—they were cherished treasures, symbolizing a child’s joy and coveted badge of social status.
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In this year of the Cabbage Patch War, I was one of thousands of little girls whose Christmas dreams hinged on owning one of these coveted dolls. My mother, a woman with six children, no transportation, and a tight ‘welfare’ budget, became one of those brave warriors, pushing her way through the chaos to fulfill my Christmas wish.
At the time, I couldn’t understand the lengths she went to, but later, she shared the story: elbows flying, carts clashing and voices raised in frustration. Somehow, in the midst of all the madness, my mom emerged victorious, clutching a Cabbage Patch doll like a trophy—a treasure she secured just for ME.
Looking back, I can picture her: tired but determined, navigating that toy frenzy with a fierce love that propelled her forward. You see, that Cabbage Patch doll wasn’t just a gift; it was a symbol of her love and sacrifice. I can only hope that the joy on my face when I unwrapped that doll on Christmas morning made every bit of her effort worthwhile.
But my mother’s love wasn’t limited to one Christmas or one gift.
Year after year, she and my father worked miracles for all six of us kids, despite the crushing weight of limited finances. Whether it was the Nintendo gaming system, a hand held Game Boy, a POGO- BALL, drum set, a bike, or doll such as Teddy Ruxpin or Baby Skates, my parents always found a way to grant every child their Christmas wish. To this day, I stand amazed at how they transformed our home into a Christmas wonderland on a shoestring welfare budget. It wasn’t just the gifts that made those holidays magical—it was the warmth, thoughtfulness, and sheer effort poured into every detail for every child.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, my mother turned our tiny housing project kitchen into a culinary workshop. The air was filled with the rich aromas of a roasting turkey, collard greens, macaroni and cheese and sweet potato casserole. The counters overflowed with her homemade baked treasures: pumpkin rolls, sweet potato pies, bundt cakes, cheese cakes, zucchini bread, pecan tassies, and snowball cookies dusted like fresh-fallen snow. I can still hear the clatter of mixing bowls and the hiss of our oven. My mother baked love into every single bite.
Now that I’m a mother, I understand the cost—financially, physically, and emotionally—of such generosity. My parents stayed up late wrapping gifts, assembling bikes, and hiding surprises. Their work didn’t end until we woke up to a living room transformed into a Christmas paradise. They didn’t do it because they had to; they did it because they loved us.
Now, years later, I still marvel at the lengths they went to, the sacrifices they made to fill our home with joy. It wasn’t about the gifts or the food or the spectacle of Christmas morning—it was love. Simple, pure, unconditional love. A love that showed itself in every toy wrapped late at night, every recipe made from scratch, every penny stretched to its breaking point.
As I reflect on those Christmases, I’m reminded of an even greater love: the love of our Heavenly Father. If imperfect parents can go to such lengths to give their children good gifts, how much more will a perfect God lavish us with what we truly need? Jesus said it best: “If you, being imperfect, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”(Luke 11:13 TPT).
Friend, what do YOU need from your Heavenly Father this holiday season? Is it the gift of joy in a time of sorrow? The gift of peace amid chaos? Or perhaps a gift of hope amidst despair and the weight of broken dreams? Whatever it is, He’s waiting for you to ask. He loves you deeply and completely, and His gifts far surpass anything wrapped in paper. So don’t hold back. Bring Him your wish list, your hopes, your unfulfilled dreams, even your fears. He’s ready to meet you where you are and give you what you need most.
This Christmas, as I gather with my children around the tree, I plan to gift them more than presents—I’ll gift them this story of my mother’s courage during the 1983 Cabbage Patch Wars and the miracle of love that made every Christmas magical. And I’ll remind them of the greatest Giver of all—the One who doesn’t just meet our needs but exceeds them. And I’ll and remind them that the greatest joy isn’t found in receiving but in giving. Because when we give, we reflect the heart of the One whose love knows no bounds.
Two of God’s best gifts to me!
