Recently, I was asked by girl-child what I wanted for Christmas. It was odd, because I had, just that afternoon, thought of an answer to the very same question. I think it would behoove me to explain just a bit.
I was driving home from the World of Wally and I got to thinking - admittedly selfishly - about how I have spent all this time, effort and yes, money, finding gifts fit for each of my family members and then some. It's not easy and I am not Mrs. Moneybags and I'm tired, by golly! (My Christmas Spirit had, apparently, taken a hike.) Then I thought of how no one ever asks me what I want for Christmas. Then I thought, if someone were to ask me what I want for Christmas, what would I even say? There's really nothing I need. Really nothing I want that badly that I would ask someone else to buy it for me as a gift. So how would I answer?
Here was my inner monologue: Well, I would love to have a tablet. And, either Adrian the momma cat who is at the Shelter or Promise the beautiful, sleek, black cat who is being fostered. They both really need a mommy. But really, I can't think of anything else I'd like to have, other than a clean house. Hey! That's it! I want a clean house for Christmas! One I didn't have to clean myself! And, of course, World Peace. I always want World Peace. And I want people to stop being mean to each other...
I was satisfied. Should anyone ask, I had my answer.
Getting back to that question asked to me by girl-child:
Girl-Child: Mom, what do you want for Christmas?
Me: Oh, honey. That's kind of a complicated question.I would like a clean house for Christmas. And someone to set up the Christmas tree. And I don't want to do it myself.
Girl-Child: Mo-om! It needs to be something I can give you!
Me: I would love to have a tablet. And, either Adrian the momma cat who is at the Shelter or Promise the pretty black cat. And a hug from you!
Girl-Child rolled her eyes at me, gave me a hug, and walked away. Shortly thereafter I left for a meeting at church. I was gone for about 2 hours.
When I got home, boy-child met me at the door and said, "Mom! I need you to close your eyes and trust me." Uh-oh, I think to myself. What's going on? But I close my eyes and he takes my hand, telling me he won't let me run into anything but advising me not to open my eyes. I trust, give him my hand, and follow - eyes firmly shut.
He leads me to the bathroom and tells me to open my eyes; I can hear the excitement and pride in his voice. I open my eyes to see a sparkling clean bathroom and boy-child bouncing on the balls of his feet with a HUGE grin on his face. "You said you wanted a clean house for Christmas, so I cleaned the bathroom for you, mom!" And I hugged him so tight and whispered an emphatic thank you.
I was so touched - and proud of my sweet boy - I could hardly talk. I know it's just a bathroom, but he must have worked his butt off to do that for me in the 2 hours I was gone. A better gift I could not have asked for, or received.
Not to be outdone, girl-child snags my hand and says, "Mom! Close your eyes and come with me." I obey, and she leads me down the hall to her bedroom and says, "Now hold out your hands, like you're going to hold a box," and places a box in my hands and says, "Open your eyes!" I can hear the excitement in her voice, too. I open my eyes to see a plain, cardboard box, with a multi-colored yarn bow tied around it. Girl-child instructs me to open the box, and inside I find a hand-made trophy with TO: The Best Mom In The World written in pencil on the plate. Undone, I cried.
I couldn't have better kids. I'm going to brag about them whenever I can to whomever I can, without apology. I will follow the rules about bathroom maintenance boy-child so carefully wrote out and posted on the wall. I will treasure my cardboard trophy and show it off with pride. And for me, I think Christmas has already come. I hope yours is as meaningful as mine.
TTFN
JMS
I was driving home from the World of Wally and I got to thinking - admittedly selfishly - about how I have spent all this time, effort and yes, money, finding gifts fit for each of my family members and then some. It's not easy and I am not Mrs. Moneybags and I'm tired, by golly! (My Christmas Spirit had, apparently, taken a hike.) Then I thought of how no one ever asks me what I want for Christmas. Then I thought, if someone were to ask me what I want for Christmas, what would I even say? There's really nothing I need. Really nothing I want that badly that I would ask someone else to buy it for me as a gift. So how would I answer?
Here was my inner monologue: Well, I would love to have a tablet. And, either Adrian the momma cat who is at the Shelter or Promise the beautiful, sleek, black cat who is being fostered. They both really need a mommy. But really, I can't think of anything else I'd like to have, other than a clean house. Hey! That's it! I want a clean house for Christmas! One I didn't have to clean myself! And, of course, World Peace. I always want World Peace. And I want people to stop being mean to each other...
I was satisfied. Should anyone ask, I had my answer.
Getting back to that question asked to me by girl-child:
Girl-Child: Mom, what do you want for Christmas?
Me: Oh, honey. That's kind of a complicated question.
Girl-Child: Mo-om! It needs to be something I can give you!
Me: I would love to have a tablet. And, either Adrian the momma cat who is at the Shelter or Promise the pretty black cat. And a hug from you!
Girl-Child rolled her eyes at me, gave me a hug, and walked away. Shortly thereafter I left for a meeting at church. I was gone for about 2 hours.
When I got home, boy-child met me at the door and said, "Mom! I need you to close your eyes and trust me." Uh-oh, I think to myself. What's going on? But I close my eyes and he takes my hand, telling me he won't let me run into anything but advising me not to open my eyes. I trust, give him my hand, and follow - eyes firmly shut.
He leads me to the bathroom and tells me to open my eyes; I can hear the excitement and pride in his voice. I open my eyes to see a sparkling clean bathroom and boy-child bouncing on the balls of his feet with a HUGE grin on his face. "You said you wanted a clean house for Christmas, so I cleaned the bathroom for you, mom!" And I hugged him so tight and whispered an emphatic thank you.
I was so touched - and proud of my sweet boy - I could hardly talk. I know it's just a bathroom, but he must have worked his butt off to do that for me in the 2 hours I was gone. A better gift I could not have asked for, or received.
Not to be outdone, girl-child snags my hand and says, "Mom! Close your eyes and come with me." I obey, and she leads me down the hall to her bedroom and says, "Now hold out your hands, like you're going to hold a box," and places a box in my hands and says, "Open your eyes!" I can hear the excitement in her voice, too. I open my eyes to see a plain, cardboard box, with a multi-colored yarn bow tied around it. Girl-child instructs me to open the box, and inside I find a hand-made trophy with TO: The Best Mom In The World written in pencil on the plate. Undone, I cried.
I couldn't have better kids. I'm going to brag about them whenever I can to whomever I can, without apology. I will follow the rules about bathroom maintenance boy-child so carefully wrote out and posted on the wall. I will treasure my cardboard trophy and show it off with pride. And for me, I think Christmas has already come. I hope yours is as meaningful as mine.
TTFN
JMS
2 comments:
I've said it before and I'll say it again now..... your children are amazing little humans! It's a reflection of their loving, funny, awesome parents. I have always been able to appreciate these moments that share, but now that I have my own child I have a new, different appreciation. As I read this post, my heart swelled up and my eyes welled up. You have a beautiful family ❤️
Now you've done it. I'm crying. I miss you so much, my friend! I ♥ you, too! Aren't kids awesome? I know they're wonderful and sweet and fun when they're itty bitty like E is, but there are so many wonderful moments at every age! I can't wait for you to experience them all!
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