As a parent, you are consumed with your children and there are many things you wish for them. You hope they will always be happy, both in childhood and adulthood. You pray that they will always be healthy. You want to provide the best for them, however you are able. And you wish they will always feel love.
But, as we enter this year's holiday season, I have been overcome with another equally important hope for L'ie Bear...empathy and kindness! Among our traditions, excitement and happiness this December, we have also been surrounded by so much loss and sadness. Not a day goes by without a story of a sick child, an innocent child's death, children who may not experience a gift under the tree, children who may not have a meal over the holiday, or families who may not be able to celebrate the holidays together.
It is hard to not feel helpless during these times, but it is important to realize that we have so much to be thankful for and just the smallest act of kindness can make a huge difference. So I am resolved to make sure L'ie Bear learns this lesson along with the joys the holidays can bring.
And although she is still too young to really understand the experience, it is important to me that she still participate. This year, L'ie Bear has helped me pick out toys for children less fortunate and we have made sure to give food or donations whenever possible. But, the best moment occurred last week, when we joined Aunt Sarah, her boyfriend Kevin, Mee-Maw and Grandpa to deliver cookies and holiday wishes to some of the patients in the nursing home in Salisbury, Maryland.
The Bear dressed up as Santa's Helper and left so much joy and cheer in her wake. I was concerned that she would be scared and would not enjoy the experience. Boy was I wrong!! She happily handed out bags of cookies, waved hello and goodbye, and even blew the patients kisses. After a few minutes into the trip, she was leading the way through the nursing home and confidently marched into each room. It was heartwarming to watch and one of the proudest moments I have had as L'ie Bear's mom so far! She is becoming such an amazing young girl. Here are some photos from the visit...
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| Heading into the Nursing Home with Mee-Maw and Aunt Sarah |
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| Bags full of cookies |
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| Visiting with a patient. |
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| Santa's Helper heading into a room |
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| Saving some love for Mee-Maw. Bear hugs are the best!! |
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| So much holiday spirit here!! |
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| Heading out to deliver more cookies |
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| At the end of a happy holiday experience!! |
I look forward to building many Christmas memories with L'ie Bear and it is my hope that giving back in some way will always be an important part of those memories. It is easy to get caught up in the receiving part of Christmas,but I want L'ie Bear to understand that we have so much to be thankful for, that kindness is an easy way to make change, and that she has both the support and empathy to make that change!!!
