Dear Mom,
I’m sorry about the last letter. Don’t worry, I’m doing alright. I sold most of my Wonderbolt stuff while on the road, though, to earn a few bits. You wouldn’t believe how fast that stuff sells. Then again, I would’ve bought a signed Wonderbolt poster for only ten bits too. I did keep the Wonderbolt plushy you made me, I couldn't bear to part with it. I still remember that Hearth’s Warming Eve like it was yesterday. You were knitting in front of the small fire place, as I was stringing popcorn together. I remember that Dad was home back then. We had to move most of the furniture into his room, so we could fit his hospital bed in the living room. He was so excited to be able to see us, he always said the nurses and doctors were nice company back in Manehatten, but nothing like when he got to be with us.
When I got the popcorn stringed around the tree, you asked me to go fetch the boxes and wrapping paper. I knew the boxes were empty, but the wrapping with Dad was the fun part. That year it seemed like he could barely lift the empty box, so I ended up wrapping most of the presents and he placed the bow on top. He still gave me a wing five though. We always used to do that.
We were all sitting by the fire, eating roasted walnuts that we picked from the tree outside earlier that year, they were really good. I remember the blush on your face when Dad said they were the best roasted walnuts he had ever had. After that we were all curled up for that night before Hearth’s Warming Eve. Presents under the tree, you sleeping in your rocking chair, and me curled next to Dad on his hospital bed as the machines next to it beeped steadily.
That morning the sun stung at my eyes, but there were still presents under the tree and that excited me. I bounced off Dad’s bed and ran to the tree. You were already awake and you told me to wait until Dad woke up. I agreed and I waited outside, playing in the snow, until Dad finally woke up. Then we all gathered by the tree. I reached out from behind the tree to pull to neatly wrapped presents. I remember how surprised you guys looked at me actually having presents for you two. I handed Dad his present and I handed yours to you. The smile on your faces were priceless to me.
I know you still have those flowers in your dresser even though they're wilted and that you’ve still kept that drawing of Dad and me as Wonderbolts on the wall in the living room. Then you gave me my own wonderbolts plushie! I was so excited. I can’t believe you hoof stitched that plushy, it looks professional. And when we thought that there was no more presents to be opened, Dad pulled out two tiny boxes out from under his pillow. He gave one to me and had me give one to you. We opened them up and mine was a folded Wonderbolts race advertisement. I remember yours was a sales ad for a new gardening tools. He knew us so well... It didn’t matter if he didn’t buy us stuff, it was the thought that counted.
Those were good times, huh? I miss him. I know you do too.
Anyway, I’ve been looking for some work and I think I might have a lead in Manehatten. Wish me Luck!
Your thoughtful daughter,
Lightning Dust
P.S. If you can't find Zipper's hoop, it's probably in the walnut tree.