The Question No Child Should Think About Asking: Momma, Why Does Santa Love Some Kids More Than He Loves Me????

A couple  of years ago I read something that broke my heart. It was an open letter from a mom to all the other moms out there. The woman was asking moms across the country to please have Santa give their children simple, ordinary gifts rather than expensive, extravagant items like phones, computers, gaming devices, designer clothes, and the latest and greatest toys. She wasn't asking parents to not give these gifts if they could and wanted to--she was simply asking that they let their kids know the more extravagant gifts were from them...not Santa.    

You might be wondering why--what should it matter to her?

Well, she actually had a very good reason--one that should matter to her and every other parent on the planet. The reason for her request was because she never wanted to be put in the position of having to answer the question her six year-old daughter asked her ever again: “Why does Santa Claus love other kids more than he does me?”

This loving mother went on to write that she and her husband worked hard to provide for their two children, but their paychecks barely paid for the necessities in life like rent, childcare, food, utilities, clothes, and vehicle expenses. In other words, there wasn’t much left for Christmas.

“We couldn’t afford the things other kids in their classes at school got,” she said. “But when my daughter heard other kids talking about what they got, she was hurt and confused. Not because she didn’t get those things, but because she viewed the obvious differences as a sign that she wasn’t good enough in Santa’s eyes to merit such gifts—that she had done something bad or wrong to cause him not to bring her the same type of gifts some of her friends received.”

The mom who wrote this letter adamantly stressed that the purpose of her letter was NOT to try illicit pity and she wasn’t asking for a hand-out. She just wanted to remind people that since we tell our kids that Santa loves all boys and girls and that he brings gifts to them because of this love, we need to make Santa an ‘equal opportunity gift-giver’.

So as you get ready to head out to grab up all those holiday shopping deals and try to fulfil the wishes of everyone on your gift list, remember that it really isn’t the cost or extravagance of the gift, but the fact that you thought of giving anything at all. Besides, if you think about it, Santa couldn't possibly afford all those things, so….

Love, 

Momma D

                                           Copyright 2017 Darla Noble. No part of this can be used or copied without permission from the author. 

                                                                         

A Beautiful Reason for a Pretty Little Box, aka Please Pass the Memories...Part Two

Several years ago I was strolling through Hobby Lobby (my happy place) when I found myself standing in front of some shelves filled with vintage-looking wooden boxes. Some looked like old suitcases while others looked like old steamer trunks or crates. They came in a variety of sizes and shapes and best of all THEY WERE HALF OFF!

The bargain hunter and lover-of-all-things-vintage in me wanted to snatch a few of them up. But the practical side of me couldn't come up with a use for them so I did what any reasonable person would do...I walked around the store until I thought of something. And that 'something', I have to say was a stroke of genius. So I hurried back over to the boxes and carefully selected four boxes (one for each of my kids) in which I was going to place the treasured memories of their childhood.

Inside each box I placed the outfit they had worn home from the hospital, their baby book, other mementos of their infancy, their favorite story book, first tooth, first drawings and special school papers and awards, their first Sunday school papers, a favorite childhood sleeping companion, and a few other choice items. I also attached notes to most of the items explaining their sentiment.

The last thing to go into the box was a letter from me recounting the memorable things they had said and done-things that only a mother remembers. I cannot begin to tell you the joy I had in putting these treasure boxes together! It was like living each of their lives all over again. I admit there were plenty of tears shed as I gently folded each baby garment, read each paper, and recorded their memorable moments-but they were happy tears.

A few months later, on Christmas morning, as we all gathered around the tree, everyone was curious about the 'treasure boxes' I had placed behind all the other gifts. I hadn’t bothered wrapping or labeling them-I knew who they belonged to. It wasn’t easy, but I patiently waited until after all the other gifts had been opened before I presented each of my children with their box.

 Emma was ten at the time. She enjoyed looking through it, but it wasn't until a few years later that she really understood and appreciated the significance of the gift. And since she was so young, I added to the box over the next several years.

Elizabeth and Olivia, who were nineteen and seventeen, had a great time looking through their boxes and remembering some of the events represented inside. They couldn’t believe I’d kept some of things that, to them, seemed so insignificant. They were pleased that I had, though, and I knew they appreciated the love that had gone into their boxes.

And then there was Zach...my (then) twenty-two year old son, Zachery, was the one who really ‘got it’. After reading the letter I had placed on top of his things, he became totally lost in what was inside. For the next two to three hours, he gently took each item out of the box, one at a time and read each note carefully. With his new bride sitting next to him, he related the history behind each one. I saw him laugh, I saw tears in his eyes, and I saw a look of joy that comes from recalling those things that are most dear to our hearts. Then after carefully replacing each item, he wrapped his arms around me, and through tears he wasn’t ashamed of crying, he thanked me for being the kind of mother who loved so deeply and cared so much. He said the box was the most special gift he had received. And friends, let me tell you; that was one of the best gifts I have ever received!

Passing on the memories of your children’s lives-through your eyes-is one of the most valuable gifts you can give them. Doing so tells them that as their mother, you love them unconditionally; through all things, in spite of all things, and not because of anything they do, but just because they are a part of you. 

Love,                                                                                                                                          
Momma D

                                                               

                                           Copyright 2017 Darla Noble. No part of this can be used or copied without permission from the author. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase a copy of "Love, Momma D", 20% of the price will be donated to families of terminally ill children to enable them to purchase necessary equipment not covered by health insurance. 

Link:  https://www.amazon.com/Love-Momma-Helping-Parents-Parenting/dp/1632133288/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510511692&sr=8-1&keywords=love+momma+d