My family was very poor growing up. My was the sole provider for me and my siblings, so there wasn't a ton of money for gaming. I remember around Christmas time after the N64 was released, my mother took me into Toys R Us to try and find some gifts. They had these N64 demo units set up with Super Mario 64 playable. I was blown away, and spent the whole trip to the store playing it. The guy behind the counter started going over the games out for the system with me, and one of them was Shadows of the Empire. I was a huge Star Wars fan, so I freaked out, lol. He let me hold the game box, but then that price of nearly $80 instantly put it in my head that I'd never play it. The cost of the system and that price for games...yeah, my family of hand-me-down clothes and off brand food absolutely had no business looking at items of that nature. Now even as a kid, even though it I didn't understand how bad my parents were struggling, I understood, and they provided everything we needed. I told my mother how amazing the game and system looked, but I didn't ask for it, knowing it wasn't in the cards.
Christmas came and my parents did really great for how many kids we were and the resources available. There was no N64 and no Shadows of the Empire. I wasn't shocked and I was very grateful for everything I received. Still, you know how inside you still feel a bit sad? Well, I was feeling it, but I made sure not to show it. The next day, my mother took me with her to do the usual Christmas returns, such as clothing not fitting or toys that were broken. We went into a store called Kay-Bee Toy Works. I didn't remember her buying anything from there, and she didn't have anything in a bag that I could see to return. So I was a bit puzzled. We went over to the gaming counter, and the guy put a brand new N64 on the counter with Super Mario 64 and Shadows of the Empire. I knew it wasn't for me, it couldn't have been. Then she turned to me and said, "I'm sorry I didn't have it in time for Christmas, but by the time we had the money they were sold out everywhere."
My jaw was on the floor. I started to cry, partly from shock and partly because I felt bad she spent that money. You'll never see a more grateful child than I was that, and for many after. I played SotE over and over and over. My father even liked playing it, and he never plays video games. The Hoth level, was mind blowing, and we both replayed it so many times. It was like playing the beginning of Empire Strikes Back (my favorite SW film) and I was in Heaven. The music, the graphics, the cool new controller. This was the future, and I was actually a part of it.
So yeah, long story short, I love my parents and to this day I do anything I can to repay them for the childhood they gave me. Every birthday, Fathers Day, Mothers Day, I make sure I always get over there regardless of what's going on. My wife and I take them out to dinner every year for their wedding anniversary, and my kids love them to death.
Should I win, XBox would be my platform of choice. If not, it's nice to relive that memory, and brag about my parents a bit.
