The Gift

Mikey is the most self centred, self absorbed 9 year-old on the face of this planet. Most of the time. I guess that makes him pretty normal.

I love this kid. This fair-skinned fellow with the hair and eyes of an angel but trust me, he's not. (Smile.) But there's just something about him...

We're polar opposites. He's organized and serious and responsible beyond his years. I think he's going to be a businessman someday. I'm forgetful, probably because my thinking process is so scattered and disorganized - and budgets are my nemesis.

Sometimes I don't understand why I could love him so much. He can be just plain mean to his four little brothers. A regular tyrant! Other times he can be so sweet that you think your heart is going to break in two, just thinking about him. But tonight he outdid himself.

As I settled into one of the lazy-boys in the living room next door, his mom (my daughter Beth) told me that I could expect to see a lot of him over his Christmas vacation. And then she told me about a very serious conversation she had with him after school today.

"I have to spend a lot of time with Mommy'sMum," he told his mother.

"Yes, it's always good for you two to spend time together, isn't it? You're pretty special to each other," Beth said, encouraging our relationship.

"No, Mom. I mean I have to spend a specially lot of time with her this Christmas."

"Why?" she asked. I was waiting for her to tell me what he wanted to get from me... But I was wrong this time.

His response melted her heart - and mine too when she relayed it to me. "Because this is her first Christmas without her dad," he said, his eyes all wide and serious.

It's my birthday today. And, sigh, Mikey couldn't possibly have given me a better gift.

Comments

Dave Hingsburger said…
Happy Birthday Susan! From a someone else who began life's journey in December, I hope my birthday wishes can be heard over the voices chanting about that OTHER December birth. Lovely story about Mikey ... may he keep that generous spirit and kind heart his whole life.
6:15 AM
Deidra said…
Oh the children....

Happy birthday and blessed peace to you!
9:23 AM
Suz said…
Happy Birthday to another December Susan! Your little guy's response to your not having your Dad this year was so touching. He does have a soul that is mature beyond his years. What a gift to you.
9:23 AM
Marilyn said…
Oh, this was beautiful! Happy birthday! This arrived in my Google feed very late in the day, but at just the right time. Lovely! I hope you had a wonderful day.
11:36 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Voyage

Image
Note from Belinda: I read this prayer yesterday and again today--and then I read it to Susan after cell group, when we were having our "second cup" of decaff coffee together. I knew that she'd love it. She has a framed picture on her office wall of a little blond haired girl in a sail boat on a stormy sea. A fatherly sailor,with a weather beaten face; in a gray sou'wester, holds her close, as he capably mans the tiller. This prayer reminds me of that picture and influenced what I wrote earlier today, when I used the metaphor of ebbing waves to describe a lack of consistency and my desire to crash over the sandbar into the peaceful pool on the other side.  ( Susan sent me a link to the painting, which was done by American impressionist Robert Reid in 1888.  It hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in NYC.) Be bless ed by the beauty of this prayer. OH LORD OF THE OCEANS, My little bark sails on a restless sea, Grant that Jesus may sit at the
Read more

Ere Zij God--Glory to God in the Highest! A Dutch Carol

Image
By Belinda This beautiful Dutch carol was shared today by a friend of Dutch ancestry, on Facebook. I had never heard it before but absolutely loved it. It moved me deeply, especially at the end after the crowd leaves the church and then breaks into spontaneous singing again around a brazier, with the sound of chiming church bells in the background. Listen to it with headphones or a good speaker to get the full effect of the harmonies. And happy first Sunday in Advent!
Read more

Samson Beaver and his Family

Image
I first posted this in 2009, a little show and tell about one of my favourite photographs. Back then it hung on a wall, but now it's in my bathroom where I see it every morning! I'd forgotten the history behind the story, researched when I first posted this and thought that current readers might enjoy it--a story from a time when this land was still being discovered, not so very long ago. This photograph was taken by Mary Schaffer; artist, photographer, writer and naturalist, in 1907. It is of a Stoney Indian named Samson Beaver, with his wife Leah and daughter, Frances Louise. I bought the photo on a postcard, on a trip to British Columbia and it hangs framed, on the wall I face when sitting at my laptop. I love it. Don't you just feel as if you could gather Frances Louise up in your arms and cuddle her? I get a deep sense of peace and happiness when I look at this family, sitting in the grass of a long ago fall. They are dressed in their best, beautiful c
Read more