With the spirit of the holiday season in full-swing – what are the biggest things you’ve asked for this year? Here’s a quick look at my wish list this year.
Sure, when I sit down and think about what I want, I’m not going to lie – quite a few “things” come to mind very quickly. For example, I’d love a shopping fairy, a cleaning staff, and time alone. Plus, I’d like to wish for some things to actually disappear – such as the Elf on the Shelf (who apparently needs to be scolded and cleaned up after) or the numerous sports parties my children are each invited to during December. I don’t think I’m alone in this!
Then, when I can have a quiet moment, I really only want three things. They are three very simple, but very meaningful wishes.
First, I want my children to be healthy and I want everyone around me and my family to also be healthy. My second grader has a very close friend going through some very difficult health concerns and parenting him through this experience has given us a wonderful perspective on how much we should appreciate waking every morning feeling healthy and well. Coughs, colds, cancers – what a wonderful Christmas wish it would be if they were all gone and all children could run and play together without worrying about sharing germs.
Second, I want to hear my children’s squeals of happiness and delight. The cheers and yahoos don’t need to come from their reactions to the gifts they receive, but from playing their favorite games or cheering on their friends and family at an event. When they see holiday lights on a long drive home from Grandma’s house or when they see shooting stars in the park after a night-time walk – the delightful joy their excitement and enjoyment brings to my life is immeasurable. No one can replace the sounds of each of their thrills and animated happiness of jumping up and down when they see something wonderful for the first, third, fifteenth time. I’m a lucky mom to hear those sounds.
Last, and most of all, I want families to be together. A dear friend of ours is serving our country overseas this holiday season and I know his family is missing him terribly. I live far from some of my siblings and there have been many Christmas dinners that we have not shared because weather and schedules won’t allow the travel to happen. Wondering where we will put all the people who want to sleep over, fretting over food, and worrying about wrapping gifts all go to the back of my mind because when my house is bursting with people, the driveway is full of cars and the sink is full of dishes – I know it’s been a magical holiday and that one of my holiday wishes has come true.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah from our families to yours.
