What If Christmas, Perhaps Means A Little Bit More

                                     

 “And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?

 

It came without ribbons. It came without tags. 

It came without packages, boxes or bags.

 

And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. 



Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. 

What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. 

 

What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

 

 

 

So this little topic has been spinning around in my head for a couple days.  I think it was after I heard the wants of some kids and the long lengthy Christmas lists to Santa that have been posted on FB that I felt so inclined to write about it.

 

I thought about it and I can't even imagine dealing with that. I can't imagine having children that have a list longer than their arm of "things" they want. Now, don't get me wrong we all "want" things.

It's a good thing to want things.  Wanting things and working to get them instills the value of hard work. Too many children these days get whatever their hearts desire, and America wonders why our youth don't want to work, feel entitled, and live at home till their 30.

 

When I was younger we were poor. No, I'm not just saying that for sympathy, and we had the necessities most of the time. A home, clean clothes, food, but we didn't have the extras or extravagance that has come with growing up in America. We didn't go on vacations, we didn't have internet, we didn't have new clothes, and sometimes we didn't have a phone. 

 

We had a car that would start sometimes and was covered in rust. I even remember a classmate seeing our vehicle and saying "Is that your car?"

                                                  "yeah", I replied why.

                                                 "Why don't you just get a new one?"

                                                 "Umm...because that costs money."

 

Money that we didn't have. The reason for the lack of funds is for another post all together. We understood at a very young age that you don't always get what you want, and to be thankful for what we did have, and to work hard for what you want.

 

My husband and I have instilled that in our children as well. We aren't strapped for cash (like when I was younger) but we aren't rich either. We are like every other middle-class family with the following exceptions: we don't have cable, we don't have gaming systems, we don't shower our children with gifts, toys or fancy vacations. We do go on vacations but nothing fancy.

 

We teach them that their are many children and families that are struggling to make it, that their are little kids out there that don't get everything they want. We teach them to be thankful and if there's something they really want, to work for it.

 

We teach them that being with family and friends during the holidays and throughout the year is the best present ever, because there are many kids that don't even have that.

 

So at Christmas time when they write out a list to Santa it's not a mile long, and we remind them that they might not get everything on their list. We also want to instill that they need to give to others so  they pick out a present from the store and we donate it to Freedom house (a family shelter) for a family in need. We spend time making memories with them. We take them on the golden ticket tour to see the neighborhood lights, we watch Christmas movies, we decorate cookies, and every Sunday night is family night.

 

Yes, my children do get presents at Christmas, probably many more than they need. We usually pick one big present that they've talked about for the past year and then some smaller ones. We don't go crazy and they are usually grateful for what they receive.

 

Now again I'm not saying this to be all "oh look at me, I'm the perfect parent.", because I'm not. I'm far from it.

 

 I know how it feels to want to give your child everything they want because the heartbreak in those eyes is a horrible feeling for a parent, and their have been times that it has happened.  I would love to give my child everything they want but I also realize that it is my responsibility as their parent to teach them what they need to know to go out into this world and be the best person they can be.

 

So this Christmas maybe re-evaluate what it's really all about. Family, memories, love, caring and sharing, and giving.

What if Christmas, perhaps means a little bit more.