 | I thought I'd never get motivated this year. Most of the way through our Hanukkah week, I was dreading watching the children open their meager gifts. I bought those canvas drawer boxes this year for everyone to put gifts in for each person. We had salt-dough ornaments, homemade cards, burnt leather bookmarks, felt buddies and a few store bought tools (we never have enough pliers or screw drivers around here!) and miscellaneous stuff. The children were so excited about the new storage boxes and seeing the goodies in them. I'm humbled by their enthusiasm. You see, I have a running list in my head (and on Amazon) of things I'd like to get for my children; games, toys, musical instruments... |
How could they be so thrilled with so little? My children love secrets, gifts (of ANY kind, pretty much) and giving to others. I guess I've done something right. Actually I don't believe it has much to do with me, other than my trying to make the best out of hard times. (click to tweet) God has blessed us with very hard times the past few years. Yes, I said BLESSED. If we were prospering financially, I'd buy those fun things for the children. Would they appreciate it any more than they do the skimmin's they are getting? No, I don't think so. As much as I try to teach them to take good care of things, the more they have, the more it seems gets broken or tossed by the wayside. The years they have only received a few little things are the times they really remember. I asked them this year what their favorite Holiday memories were. It wasn't a Christmas tree (Yes, we used to have one. No we are NOT JW.) It's decorating the whole house with winter fun. It wasn't some expensive electronic gift. (Oh I forgot, we don't do those even in good years...) (click to tweet) It was a special little something, or a special book we read out loud as a family, or a special visitor we don't usually see.
I thought back to my childhood. What are the best memories I have? One year my Daddy gave me a little diamond ring. I still have it. I wore it even when our relationship was strained and we didn't talk for years... It was something special he did just for me. The guitar my mother gave me. The children play it now. The music my grandmother would play on her accordion. My grandfather's smile while he watched everyone prance around with their new clothes. Great Granny's pie and Great Grandma's sugar cookies. The homemade gifts I still treasure...
So... These past few days I've been getting reaquainted with the sewing machine. I have a PILE of fabric in our living room. The dining room table is full. I'm creating, experimenting, sewing and making memories. Nothing like the last minute, right!?!?!?
I thought back to my childhood. What are the best memories I have? One year my Daddy gave me a little diamond ring. I still have it. I wore it even when our relationship was strained and we didn't talk for years... It was something special he did just for me. The guitar my mother gave me. The children play it now. The music my grandmother would play on her accordion. My grandfather's smile while he watched everyone prance around with their new clothes. Great Granny's pie and Great Grandma's sugar cookies. The homemade gifts I still treasure...
So... These past few days I've been getting reaquainted with the sewing machine. I have a PILE of fabric in our living room. The dining room table is full. I'm creating, experimenting, sewing and making memories. Nothing like the last minute, right!?!?!?
| Opens at 11 am CST on Thursdays. I've tried to make the Rules simple:
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