My son's bedtime routine (like most little ones) is written on stone. After reading one or two books, we go to his bed and compare the notes for the day. I ask her if today was a good day and as a happy person she always says "yes".
After reviewing the highlights of the day - all the factors that made it a "good day" - I asked him which part was best. I was often surprised by the answer, but after much deliberation, I decided that this was the cause of something better. My child has his or her priorities in order.
Noah's grandparents live in a different world, so when they visit, they often do more harm than good. One visit from my parents included a few small gifts presented at the beginning of the tour, a trip to Wal-Mart with grandparents to buy a new electric guard, and another trip to Wal-Mart with Grandpa to buy a new Spider Man bike and hat. (Noah's first great bicycle). They also took him many times to the park, the children's museum, the McDonalds and so on.
However, after my grandparents left, I asked Noah about the best part of the trip. He thought for a moment and then said: "Going with Grandpa I saw a dead possum."
The dead possum is found in the path we follow every time we walk and watch the process of decay. Every time we see a possum Noah always talks about his grandfather and whenever they talk on the phone he updates his grandfather about the condition of the corpse.
Just think of these stories. Noah was gifted with gifts and a comfortable tour but his fond memory is just walking to the local airport and checking out the sites along the way.
Why spend so much money during the holidays that expensive gifts may be forgotten or thrown away or out - sometimes before the tinsel is reduced. Ultimately wasting our time and attention from our loved ones which is the greatest gift.
Not only is it a great gift for our loved ones (who may not need a dead possum to be imprisoned) but it is also a wonderful gift for us. The holiday season can be chaotic and full of crazy supermarkets and unpleasant traffic jams. Giving ourselves time to spend quality time with our loved ones is exactly what we should give ourselves this holiday season.
Sitting around a kitchen table and making homemade Christmas cards with Noah means that our holiday message will stand out from the crowd of pre-packaged glittering cards and we will be spending countless hours giggling at our work with glue, paper, and scissors. I do not know about you but I would rather commit to a glossy glue than a rotting possum.
We also work with her holiday gifts for various family members who I know will be lovingly cherished by grandparents and cousins alike. In addition to making photo frames and holiday scarves we create memories that I hope he will enjoy for the rest of his life. And I hope I teach her that gifts from the heart mean more than just gifts from a bag.
However, he may already be aware that as he wraps himself under his pillow and his quilt - both lovingly tied by his grandmother - to sleep in the afternoon.
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