Before you start your yearly grumble about the commercialization of holidays, let me offer you this sweet story: yesterday, during the car ride, Snowdrop proudly listed gifts she was planning on giving this year. I warned her that I did not want to know any specifics. (She has a hard time keeping secrets.) She asks -- can I tell you what I didn't get? Sure. Well, there's your watch band. What watch brand do you have? I tell her. Too late now, I didn't get it for you, even though I really like it when you switch colors occasionally. I thought purple would look so nice... I reassure her that I would have liked purple. I almost got you a fake candle, because I know you miss having them all around, but some of them look so fake and the others are so expensive! But, you'll also like what I'm giving you instead!
How sweet to have a young kid try to imagine what a 71 year old grandma would enjoy. A child isn't programmed to worry about the adult world. To imagine what pleasures an ancient person might indulge in. They have so much to absorb in their own complicated world of friends, teachers, siblings. But here we are, in the car, and she's letting me know how much concern went into this gift. (Sparrow, not to be outdone, assured me that I would like his gift too. I'm pretty sure he remembered it, but then again, he really is only six!) How is that a bad thing? From there, it's a short step to the kids bringing me cups of tea and wrapping blankets around my legs. I can see it now!
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We wake up to snow. Once again, it's just a dusting. Still, it lightens up the landscape, don't you think?
I am out early because I want to drive out to the bakery today. Downtown. Along this road that gives such pretty views in all seasons!
So it's a good breakfast. Croissants with our own strawberry jam.
* * *
Friends stop by with cookies. Cards come in the mail, with colorful designs. Yes, paper. Yes, trees. But honestly, if you want to cut back on tree removal talk to Ed. He'll remind you to call all those companies that send you catalogues in the mail and tell them politely to stop. And to be more careful in your recycling habits. And to go paperless with all your statements. And to get a bidet! And I'll tell you -- but please, if you have the time, don't give up on the cards.
* * *
In the afternoon I pick up the kids. It's Sparrow's turn to choose a treat for the week and he votes for ice cream. Why do kids like ice cream in December? I cannot say.
At the farmhouse, they still get excited by their Advent calendars. The gift of a surprise, every day, all the way until Christmas. I ask them if they communicated their gift wishes to Santa. Snowdrop (who is the one child who really doesn't exactly believe in Santa) has. Sparrow is worried. He doesn't remember. I tell him it's quite okay to just ask for surprises. He exhales. I'm asking for surprises!
* * *
Evening. Beautiful, beautiful evening. Tree, yet another soup in the making. Veggies from our CSA farmer. Yes, with sprinkled cheese. Not all gifts are to be purchased of course. But think of it -- all gifts come with a thought behind them. And effort. Kindness. And maybe love...
