I am sure many of my friends and family are running around today trying to get all the last minute preparations done for tomorrow festivities. It is so easy for us to get caught up in the frenzy of having a perfect Christmas, enough gifts for the kids, the yummiest meals, and beautiful decorations that we forget to breathe and take a moment to reflect on what this season is all about. Luckily I have had a few moments over the last few days that have reminded me what is important this time of year, and really all year.
On Sunday night before putting Bria to bed I asked her what the best and worst part of her day was (something I try to do every night as I find these simple questions really help keep me in tune into her life and feelings). She told me the best part of her day was “reading and playing with the Dora book with Mommy!”. Now this may not seem like an inspirational moment but in the context of our weekend it was a great reminder to me as to what is truly important in our children’s lives. Saturday and Sunday night we had been to Christmas parties full of goodies and gifts, to put it bluntly Bria had been very spoiled by family and friends. I thought for sure the best part of her day would have been getting her new sparkly, pink, princess Barbie or one of the other many gifts she received. But the moment my 2.5 year old daughter decided was the best part of her day was a few simple minutes of undivided attention and affection from her mom (something that in her world right now is not as often as she would probaby like with a new baby sister in the house).
This simple declaration on Bria’s part really made me sit back and realize that the best gift I could give her over the next few days wasn’t a huge pile of gifts under the tree from Santa or an immaculately clean and decorated house. No, the best Christmas gift I could give my daughter was time and attention. So this Christmas Eve, while my house is untidy and my gifts are humbly wrapped, I am hoping the Christmas memories Bria has are ones of playing and enjoying each other and feeling loved.
Another moment of reflection happened this morning while I was checking out Facebook while nursing Malia (what nursing moms did before the invention of laptops and the internet is a mystery LOL). I came across a post from a friend who is spending the year over in Africa on a Choral exchange. His post outlined he events of the past 24 hours, depicting how the apartment complex he had been staying in was ambushed by armed robbers, who knocked out the guard and stormed his apartment with guns and weapons. Although he was attacked and many of his personal possessions stolen, he survived the attack with the most precious gift we all have, life.
I cannot begin to understand how scary those moments must have been for him. I feel so blessed to be living in a country where I at all times feel safe in my home and do not live in fear. Where I have the security of living in a beautiful community, where I can take my children to the park, or go for walks after dark, without the need of armed guards or electrical fences. These are things that I at times take for granted and events like those my friend endured make me realize how truly lucky I am.
So please take the time these next few days among the gifts, decorations, travels,and dinners to truly sit back and reflect on what the true gifts in our lives are, the things that cannot be bought on sale or packaged in pretty bows. Take the time to let those you love know how you feel and give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. Once the paper and tinsel are gone, these are the gifts that we carry with us through our days and lives.
Happy Holidays!
