Learning It’s More Fun to Give
It’s been fun this year to watch my eleven year old grandson Cody learn first-hand the truth of that familiar phrase, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.” Actually I think he began to experience it last Christmas when he saw the joy his little gifts, some hand-made and some bought with precious dollars at the school Christmas Fair, brought to his family.
This year Cody has really been in the Christmas spirit. He has begged for opportunities to earn money so he could buy Christmas lawn decorations. Out of his own money he bought (and setup all by himself) a reindeer that lights up and whose head moves back and forth, an inflatable Santa Claus and a small spiral Christmas tree. The day after Thanksgiving he had them setup on the lawn with a number of extension cords spread out like spaghetti.
He is so excited about the presents he has bought (or made) for his family. He has them all wrapped and in a special corner of his room, where he proudly shows them off to anyone and everyone he can drag there. We keep reminding him that there’s still 3 weeks until Christmas but he’s still looking for more money-making jobs so that he can buy more presents. He has, of course, put together a wish list for himself. But it has been almost an after-thought.
It’s fun to watch him grow up – and they do grow up fast. At times he’s so mature and responsible, at other times he reverts to acting like a six year old. But I tell my daughter that’s how it is with kids that age. The transition isn’t always smooth – sometimes it’s two steps forward and 1 step back. But you can see the difference, especially now, as we get closer to Christmas. It’s a fun time, for all of us.
Blessings,
Steve