I can vividly remember sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, flipping through the Sears "Wish Book" with a pencil in hand. I'd carefully circle the toys I dreamed of unwrapping on Christmas morning, hoping my parents or Santa would notice. The pages were filled with action figures, board games, and gadgets I'd only seen in commercials -- each more exciting than the last. I'd stare at the glossy pictures for hours, imagining what it would be like to actually own them. It wasn't just about the toys; it was the thrill of possibility. The anticipation of circling something made it feel like I was one step closer to getting it.
Looking back, those moments felt magical -- filled with innocence, excitement, and endless imagination. Even though I didn't get everything I circled, the act of picking out toys from that massive catalog was an adventure all on its own, one I miss in today's digital world.