A couple of weeks before Christmas I was having a casual conversation with
another woman; one in which we were discussing our ‘readiness’ for the upcoming
holiday. In the course of our conversation Mrs. Hart said she had
spent the afternoon making several dozen chocolate-covered peanut butter balls
and Santa’s thumbprint cookies because those were the favorites of two of her
grandchildren. She went on to say she’d be making the favorite treat of her
other four grandchildren the following day.
As I listened to her I couldn’t help but think about the
Thanksgiving dinner we’d had just a few weeks prior to that. I had tried a new roll
recipe. Some thought they were just fine, but others—especially Zach—were not
impressed. It wasn’t because they didn’t taste good. It was because they weren’t
the ones I usually made…the ones he likes and was looking forward to.
Hey, what can I say? They weren’t bad but you can bet I won’t do it again. I’m just glad the gravy was spot-on. J And just so you know, when we sit down to Christmas dinner there will be rolls—the kind Zach and the rest of my family have come to expect.
Hey, what can I say? They weren’t bad but you can bet I won’t do it again. I’m just glad the gravy was spot-on. J And just so you know, when we sit down to Christmas dinner there will be rolls—the kind Zach and the rest of my family have come to expect.
I also thought of Granny and the love, energy, and time she
put into making my birthday cakes so special. She didn’t do it because I
expected it. She did it because she wanted to use her talents to let me to know
how special I was to her.
So why will there be ‘real’ rolls? Why did Mrs. Hart go to
all the trouble to make so many different kinds of treats and goodies? Why did
I have such fancy birthday cakes? Because of our desire for our kids and
grandkids to know we want(ed) to go
the extra mile to make them happy. Because we enjoy(ed) doing the little things
that bring a smile to their faces.
At the risk of sounding like my two year-old granddaughter and
every other two year-old in the universe, I’m going to ask why again. Why is
putting a smile on their faces and letting them know we want to go the extra
mile so important?
There are actually two answers to that question. 1: Because
it is an expression of love. 2: Because in doing so we are setting an example
to our kids and grandkids that says going the extra mile and valuing the needs
and desires of others is important.
To the naked eye, the rolls, cookies, and cakes are nothing
more than something to eat. But the truth of the matter is that these things
are evidence that you value others as much or more than you do yourself. They are
life-lessons in selflessness, humility, integrity, and love.—all of which we
should want to teach our kids.
These things should also serve as tangible reminders to you;
reminders that as a parent, it is your responsibility to put their needs and
desires of your kids on the top of your priority list. Don’t forget, though,
being a parent is a responsibility you should embrace—one you should feel
privileged and honored to have.
Merry Christmas,
Momma D
Copyright 2015 Darla Noble. No part of this can be used or copied without permission of the author.
