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WE RECALL OUR MOST MEMORABLE GIFTS.


A ring

I've received a lot of great gifts in my life. I was a very lucky kid, and always had plenty of gifts under the tree. We've asked readers to send in stories about the best gift they ever received and I thought I'd share my story too.

When I first started mulling mulling (mul´ing),
n the final step of mixing dental amalgam; a kneading of the triturated mass to complete the amalgamation.
 over my best gift my mind initially jumped to childhood, when I got some great gifts. I'll never forget the Christmas when I got a kitten kitten

newborn or young cat or ferret.


kitten mortality complex
a general term applied to a syndrome involving death of young kittens, particularly in breeding establishments.
, a grey and white long-haired furball I cleverly named Fuzz. My parents put Fuzz in a box right before gift opening and I just about died with delight when he popped out. Other stand-out childhood gifts included a red scooter scooter: see motorcycle.  and a Peaches 'n Cream Barbie.

My best gift came on Christmas 2001. My boyfriend and I had recently moved to Colorado and I was spending the holidays away from my family and with his family for the first time. As a special gift and a chance for some couple time, he took me to a Tchaikovsky concert at the Colorado Symphony Orchestra The Colorado Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra, based in Denver, Colorado. The orchestra was established in 1989 as the successor to the Denver Symphony. Currently, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra is the state’s only full-time professional orchestra. . Afterward, we walked a few blocks to a Catholic church downtown and attended mass to celebrate the Epiphany Epiphany (ĭpĭf`ənē) [Gr.,=showing], a prime Christian feast, celebrated Jan. 6, called also Twelfth Day or Little Christmas. Its eve is Twelfth Night. . During mass, as we walked down the aisle to receive communion, I reached my hands back to hold his hands like I always did. Right then, he slipped an engagement ring on my finger! What a tricky devil. I was so surprised and excited. We were married before the next Christmas came around.

I wear the ring every day. Often, when I look at it, I remember the moment I got it and think, ``That was the best Christmas gift ever.''

Annie Hundley

valleynews.com editor

A baby

My greatest gift will not get delivered in time for Christmas. And I'm fine with that.

There is no gift-wrapping or shiny red bow required; my gift does not come from a department store.

God willing, I will get to hold my gift by Feb. 10, 2007. But I don't yet know exactly how big or small the package will be.

Just like with every other extra special gift, this one has been given to me by my best friend and husband Fernando Martinez. He has taught me that the greatest gift of all is something that cannot be bought. It is free. It is love. It is the gift of life.

In my case, my gift is baby Frank Martinez.

Eight months into my pregnancy I've dealt with the morning sickness morning sickness
n.
Nausea and vomiting upon rising in the morning, especially during early pregnancy. Also called nausea gravidarum.


morning sickness 
, raging hormones, weight gain, swelling, and now, gestational diabetes Gestational Diabetes Definition

Gestational diabetes is a condition that occurs during pregnancy. Like other forms of diabetes, gestational diabetes involves a defect in the way the body processes and uses sugars (glucose) in the diet.
.

I've had my good days and bad days. I've laughed at the sight of seeing my baby move inside my belly like a hurricane. I cried when I first learned I had diabetes, thinking I was responsible for hurting my baby.

But I'm blessed that I haven't been through this experience alone. At every doctor's visit, Fernando is there. When I attended the first diabetes class, he was there asking questions about my nutrition, learning how to prick my finger to monitor my blood sugars. Simply holding my hand.

So as our family of five (I have three dogs: Cuddles Cuddles may be:
  • Cuddles (Happy Tree Friends), a character in the flash cartoon series Happy Tree Friends
  • A character in Puppets Who Kill
, Canela and Brutus) begins to grow, I have every reason to look forward to tomorrow. And for that, I am grateful.

Angie Valencia-Martinez

SW San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley

Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills.
 

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Southwest community journalist Angie Valencia-Martinez poses with her husband, Fernando Martinez, on their wedding day. Angie and Fernando's biggest Christmas gift is arriving a bit late -- a baby boy is due in February.

Photo courtesy Angie Valencia-Martinez valleynews.com

(2) The valleynews.com team poses around a Daily News' Christmas tree Christmas tree

Evergreen tree, usually decorated with lights and ornaments, to celebrate the Christmas season. The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands as symbols of eternal life was common among the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews.
. In the front row is editor Annie Hundley and community journalist Mark Kellam. In the back, from left, are community journalists Carol Rock, Alejandro Guzman, Jason Kandel and Angie Valencia. Newsroom decorations range from an inflatable tree to menorahs and a skeleton Santa in the sports department.

Edna Trunnell-Simpson/Daily News
COPYRIGHT 2006 Daily News
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2006, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Article Details
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Title Annotation:Valley News
Publication:Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)
Date:Dec 21, 2006
Words:665
Previous Article:SHARE YOUR SPECIAL GIFT WITH THE WORLD.(Valley News)
Next Article:RECALLING THE MOST MEMORABLE GIFT.(Valley News)



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