It's that time of year when kids pour out their hearts to Santa about how good they've been and what gifts they want. This year my daughter has put a request on her list that will definitely not be fulfilled. No, we will not be flying Bethany Hamilton to the middle of Illinois in the middle of winter to meet our daughter.
For those of you who don't know who Bethany Hamilton is, she's a teenage professional surfer and shark attack victim who, through the strength of her faith and family, continues to surf and inspire. This year's movie Soul Surfer was based on her life. I'm glad that my daughter has chosen a hard-working Christian girl to serve as a role model, but I just don't have the connections or financial means to bring Bethany to central Illinois – I also don't have the heart to bring a Hawaii native to our cold winter climate.
However, it did make me start thinking. If my daughter can ask for something that is unlikely to happen, then maybe I ought to write my own letter to Santa. Here's how it would go:
Dear Santa,
I have been very good this year. I've taken good care of my children, husband and pets. I've worked hard at my job and have volunteered for numerous activities. So here is what I hope you can bring me:
• A self-cleaning house
• One whole shower by myself without either child or either dog needing "something very important"
• A self-filling gas tank
• Time to read an entire book – just for fun
• The ability to lose 10 pounds without trying
• A short weekend getaway with my husband – while Mary Poppins spends time with our kids and dogs
• Time to cook the types of meals I'd really like to prepare
• The opportunity to watch a non-animated movie – and stay awake for the whole thing
• Beautiful holiday snow – but not on the roads
• Children who never argue with each other (or me, for that matter!)
• The ability to sing and dance like a pro
• And finally, a really good night's sleep!
Thank you very much, Santa! My best to you and the wife,
Michelle
Watching the news tonight, they previewed “Gabby”, the book about Gabrielle Giffords’ recovery from a tragic shooting. Earlier in the broadcast they talked about the Joe Paterno scandal. Resilience of the human spirit is often overshadowed by drama and poor choices, but I choose to focus on stories like Gabby Giffords and her intern Daniel Hernandez who stay by her side in her time of need. I will root for true winners like J.R. Martinez who sustained severe burns while serving in the Army – and who continues to serve and inspire others.
I choose to think about my neighbor in the Reserves who is about to be deployed. I pray for the young women I know who have escaped from an abusive relationship – and those who were unable to escape or still want to. Instead of remembering the long lines we stood in for TSA security at the airport, I will remember the applause we heard walking toward our gate as we saw a soldier returning home. I will not glorify celebrity marriages lasting only 72 days. I will, however, recognize those who quietly show their commitment everyday – as parents, spouses, teachers, pastors and friends.
Last night my son, James, went to his first campout. Sure, he's spent the night with his best friend and with relatives, but this was different.
I was torn. As a mom who knows that this little guy is my last-born child, I'm not ready for my "baby" to spend a night in the great outdoors. I was worried that his buddies would laugh at him because his thumb still finds its way to his mouth while he sleeps. I wondered how he'd do sleeping on a cold hard ground on a night when thunderstorms were expected. And finally, before I went to bed, I missed kissing his clammy little forehead good-night.
On the other hand, I was ready for him to experience some of the same fun his buddies have had in Boy Scouts (something he declined to get involved with). I didn't want him to miss out on fun with all the boys in his class, especially since he tends to be shy and stick closely to his very best buddies. I also knew that it would be a rockin' good party with a mom who's a science teacher and always has lots of fun activities.
It took some persuasive talking by several of us, but he went to the birthday campout, knowing that he could call us at any point and we'd come pick him up. Yes, it rained that night. No, he didn't like sleeping on the rocky ground. Yes, he jumped on the trampoline and didn't break a bone or get a concussion. No, he didn't call us. Yes, he did get to catch bugs and play with water balloons. No, he didn't get a kiss good-night.
But he and I did get something. James realized he could try a lot of new things and spend the night outdoors with all his buddies. And I'm gradually learning to let my little bird leave the nest – as long as he comes back the next day.
When my tired little bird returned, he told me that he had a great time and then asked, "Mom, can you and I snuggle for awhile?" So, snuggle we did. I stroked his hair, his thumb popped into his mouth and he drifted off to sleep on a nice warm comfy bed.
Yes, we've made it past the baby and toddler years where we spent our days protecting our children from choking hazards, falling down the steps and all the "little kid" risks.
But now we've moved on to those precarious years of grade school. How do we handle bullying, fear of new experiences and sassiness?
In The Return of Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock himself states, "Elementary, dear Watson, Elementary." I'm pretty sure he wasn't talking about elementary school, because that's far more complex than any mystery Holmes ever unraveled. Join us as we search for clues to elementary school kids – and the parents who travel this road with them.
For those of you who don't know who Bethany Hamilton is, she's a teenage professional surfer and shark attack victim who, through the strength of her faith and family, continues to surf and inspire. This year's movie Soul Surfer was based on her life. I'm glad that my daughter has chosen a hard-working Christian girl to serve as a role model, but I just don't have the connections or financial means to bring Bethany to central Illinois – I also don't have the heart to bring a Hawaii native to our cold winter climate.
