Wornoutwoman

When our kids are little, it's all about getting them to sleep as every sound 'could' be Santa or his reindeer on the roof. It's pleading for a bit of shut-eye to get those last-minute gifts wrapped - the ones that were not under the tree the night before.  Each year, that Christmas magic wanes a bit as kids mature. You enter certain phases where they've outgrown toys and you struggle with what to get for them. You ask for lists, but half the time relatives don't understand what your kid has even listed. It's almost more work explaining what an Ocarina of Time is and why it's important than it is to just order it yourself and slap a "from Nana" label on it. The Christmas you never see coming is the one right before they leave home. The one where it's the last year before college and they've matured into this adult - this person who you always knew they'd be but just couldn't fathom it. It hit me today. With this being my kid...

Each Christmas brings us new phases and surprises as a family.  I still remember when dancing Elmo was the hit of our season, as my 18-month-old laugh and squealed with delight.  Then, we moved to the 'Is Santa real?' phase.  There were many years in between the two, but those two Christmases stick out the most.  I lovingly reflect on our family moments as we put up our tree, and hang our family moments on each artificial branch. This year, my son spent way less time with me as we decked the halls. As an almost thirteen-year-old, he's more interested in glancing down the hall as I wrap up the presents and decorate the tree.  But I know he's still invested in our family, as he proved today. My heart warms thinking of what happened. We were shopping at Kohls when suddenly he diverted down another aisle, telling me to give him a few minutes. Apparently, he spotted something really special that did not need me in the immediate vicinity for. He spent a fe...