Farewell to Frosty…

 

I had a wonderful childhood. My mom and dad made a wonderful life for me. Because of that I have very fond memories of when I was little.

FYI… My mom and dad were my paternal grandparents. I was raised by them. Even though they were not biologically my parents I they raised me from when I was a toddler. They always have been – and always will be – mom and dad to me.

The holiday season has always been my most favorite time of year. I loved everything about it.

One day I looked forward to every year was when my dad would drag down the holiday decorations from the attic. Mind you he didn’t do it willingly. My dad hated hauling down all the boxes and decorations from the attic. Our attic was not easy to get into. You had to climb up a latter and squeeze your body through a very narrow opening. Once in the attic you had t walk bent over so as not to hit your head on one of the nails sticking out (my husband found that out the hard way).

I would anxiously wait downstairs for mom my to bring down the boxes that my dad handed her from the attic. No sooner did she plop the boxes in front of me I was opening them up and taking everything out.

Our holiday decorations were like my long lost friends. I was delighted to see them again. I missed them throughout the year.

Two of my favorite decorations was our 5′ light up Santa Claus and our light up Frosty. They were my dear friends. I would actually hug them when they were finally retrieved from their attic prison. I would actually talk to them as if they were alive (no… I’m not crazy. :-)).

When it comes to my childhood memories many things have great sentimental value to me. Santa and Frosty are two such items. Even when I was little I would ask my mom if I could have them when I got older so that they would always be a part of my Christmas.

Years went by, I grew up and moved away and Santa and Frosty left their attic home less often. Eventually my dad never set them free anymore. My parents were not into decorating anymore once the kids were grown and on their own.

After my mom passed away (sadly just a few days after Christmas) I had asked my dad about Santa and Frosty. I asked if I could have them and let them be enjoyed once again. Dad would tell me that he’d have to ask my sister (my biological aunt)  if she wanted them before letting me have them. For years I would ask and for years he would never ask her about them. Finally my father took things into his own hands. Since he was the oldest child he had first dibs at Santa and Frosty and he opted to give them to me and my family.

I still remember the day my father brought them to us. Mere words could not expressed how over joyed I was. My Christmas friends were back with me.

Every year for the past 10 years (give or take) Santa and Frosty have been proudly displayed on our balcony for all to see. Our neighbors also appreciate seeing their smiling faces light up the night (not too many people decorate their balconies in our condo complex).

One year is snowed just before Halloween. My husband, being the crazy person that he is (in a good way) went into our basement storage area and retrieved Santa and set him up on our balcony – surrounded by Halloween decorations. We even turned him on that night for all to see. Our neighbors thought it was hysterical and appreciated my husband’s sense of humor.

In a couple of weeks we’ll wake up Santa and Frosty from their year long slumber in the basement and set them up on our balcony so that they can light up the night and spread holiday joy.

Sadly Frosty is not doing so well. The years have not been kind to my dear old friend. When we was still locked away in the attic his head cracked. That crack led to another crack, then another. We’ve tried to mend Frosty with glue and clear packaging tape, but it’s not holding up. Each year Frosty’s condition worsens (thankfully Santa is holding up well). I’m afraid the end is near for Frosty – the same holiday decoration that has brought me such great joy all through the years ever since my childhood.

Is it “wrong” that I can’t part with him? Frosty has ALWAYS been a part of the holiday season. Things will not be the same without him. Even Santa won’t be the same without his trusty sidekick.

It has taken me years to consider finding a replacement Frosty. But these days you cannot find the same plastic Frosty from yesteryear. They don’t make them anymore. The Frosty we have was made in the 60’s and they stopped making them in the 70’s.

They don’t even make plastic Frosty decorations anymore. These days they are all blow up decorations.

I believe he’s known as a Poloron Frosty the Snowman and/or a “blow mold.”

I know I might not ever find a perfect match, but even a cute and friendly look Frosty would be nice.

Every chance I get I check out yard sales in hopes of finding another Frosty to bring into our lives and let my beloved Frosty go. I have never had any luck finding one.

I have searched the Internet to find a new friend. I have found him on places like Ebay. Last year we found a dealer who had a warehouse full of Frosty friends, but they wanted A LOT of money for shipping.

Even on Ebay Frosty is too expensive for us. I would bid or buy one in a heartbeat if we could afford it. I have several auctions bookmarked but I am unable to make a bid.

I even told my husband that when it comes time to let Frosty go I wanted to keep a piece of him so that I’ll always have something to remember him by. My husband completely agrees with me because he knows how much Frosty means to me and Frosty has been a part of his life too.

How do you let go of a beloved friend like Frosty? Our balcony will be dim without his warm, friendly glow.

I’m an adult, so why does the idea of throwing away a piece of my childhood upset me so much?

Even if there was a Christmas miracle and we found a similar Frosty, I would have a hard time throwing him away. I know that eventually I’ll have no choice. The poor little guy is literally falling apart. It’s time to let him go to the “North Pole in the sky”.

Sigh…

If anyone has ever seen a similar Frosty to my dear friend Frosty, online or elsewhere, PLEASE keep me in mind. Christmas will never be the same without Frosty.

Kimberly