We had a very quiet Thanksgiving. My relatives had plans to be somewhere else so we spent the day together as a family of four and ate our fill of turkey and all the trimmings. Speaking of trimming, I haven't yet prepared the Christmas tree or other decorations, but I have made a list and checked it more than twice. At the top of the list is a Furby. Yes, a Furby, the hottest toy of this Christmas season. Let me tell you this tale of the Furby.

My 12-year-old daughter and I planned to go shopping on the day after Thanksgiving known as "Black Friday." I had the famous list and we planned to be at a local department store at 6:00 am. As it turned out we didn't get there at 6:00 am but at 6:30 am. The department store's parking lot was full and we had to park quite a distance from the store. I looked at my daughter and she knew it would be impossible to get a Furby.

But, we were undaunted. My daughter loves to shop so we ventured forth. From the little voice in my head. I kept hearing the words, "you could be in bed right now." But instead I was dodging people and shopping carts and keeping an eye on my daughter so we wouldn't get separated.

We found three things on my list and then stood in line and waited for a very long time. I made conversation with people around me and actually enjoyed being there because the people were so friendly. No one in our line pushed or shoved. Eventually, we made our way to the cashier. We knew the cashier and as we chatted and wished each other a Merry Christmas, I noticed a box sitting next to the cash register. It was a Furby.

I very casually asked her if it was hers. She replied, "No."

I asked her if it belonged to another customer. She replied, "No."

I asked her if I could purchase the Furby. She replied, "Yes."

I watched as she took the box, scanned it, and placed it in our bag. I paid for everything and my daughter looked me in the eye and was able to contain herself - until we were outside. We did a jig, jumped up, and giggled. WE had gotten a Furby! Now I don't know if it was being in the right place at the right time, luck, or just that it was meant to be. All I know is that for one moment the look on my daughter's face was that of a "Merry Christmas."