A Nutcracker Christmas, 2003, by Violet Downs

From MemoryArchive

Who: Violet Downs
What: Christmas Memory
When: Christmas 3 years ago
Where: Louisville, Kentucky

My Christmas Memory

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year, so by the time Christmas Eve rolls around I am so excited that I can barely contain it. So you can imagine my excitement when I found out that, on Christmas Eve, we would be going to see a presentation of the Nutcracker with my Dad’s side of the family. That morning when we woke up, we could smell the fresh dough my mom was making for the cinnamon rolls. I went downstairs to help get the present into the car and roll out the dough to rise. Then I went back up to my room to shower and get ready for the fun evening ahead.

At around 12:00, we got in the car and headed to my Grandmother Mama Jean’s house. We unloaded the presents and got back in the car to drive to Louisville. I don’t remember much of the ride there until we actually got into Louisville, which was decorated for Christmas. We parked the car in a parking garage and walked into the Kentucky Center for the Arts with my family, my Aunts, my Uncles, and my cousins.

We got some food and went to find our seats. My mom and I got lost on the way to the theater and almost didn’t make it inside in time; we got there just as they were shutting the doors. We sat down in our seats and watched the curtain rise. I was amazed by all the costumes and the agility that the dancers had on their toes. The show went on and I can remember my favorite character being the Sugar Plum Fairy, because her costume was so pretty.

When the play ended, I stood up and applauded. It was the best thing I had ever seen. Afterwards, we got to go backstage and meet some of the actors. I got to meet “Clara” and I remember thinking that she would be my age, when really she was 18! After meeting the actors we went out to eat at Red Lobster®. It was one of the best meals I had had.

After we ate, we got back in the car and rode to my grandma’s house to open gifts. It was one of the best Christmases ever.