When Circumstances Squeeze Wish Lists

Sneaking down the hall, I was astonished to see my parents arranging bows on two bicycles. I convinced myself they were only helping Santa Claus and scurried back to bed.

No wonder the ironing board behind my bedroom door tormented. The clothes hanging on its legs looked exactly like a red suit in the moonlight. Santa was in my room! I pulled the covers over my head trying not to peek or move.

Even though guilt ravaged my sleep, the jolly elf left me presents every year. Some years he brought me boxes and boxes of toys; other years only a few.

I catch glimpses of those toys in photographs. They are all gone. All gone except one, a rag doll. A doll whose face is stained and whose arms are patched.

The elastic in her clothes disintegrated. Bright pink bloomers are secured with safety pins. Her hair gone. Her shoes lost. However, embroidered blue eyes and french knot freckles expose a bright countenance beneath the shabby exterior. She could be revived.

Now I’m the parent who gives presents, and I understand the reasons behind Santa’s choices. A handmade doll stitched by my mother was all that could be afforded one year. I didn’t notice the lack of other presents. I was happy with my doll, so happy that over the years I hugged her hair off.

When circumstances squeeze our wish list, maybe that’s not such a bad thing. The focus can shift back to the things that matter most: family, relationships, love.

I didn’t keep a muslin doll for over twenty years because she was one of a hundred things I wanted. I kept her because my mother made her just for me. She turned scraps into something beautiful and special. Something I can share with my daughters.

As I pull the doll out of the closet, my little girls gasp,

Grandma made this for you? You played with this dolly when you were a little girl? What happened to her hair? Can we play with her?

I smile,

Yes. Let’s get a needle and thread. You can help me fix her dress. What color hair shall we give her? She used to have yellow braids…

Considering Christmas

My son’s pencil scratched the page of his penmanship book. Cursive challenged. Pencil flew. I noticed the fury and said,

Son, please slow down.

Pencil continued to scrawl. Words joined the bustle,

Mom, I want to hurry, so I can take time to collect my thoughts.

My response cut short with a sigh and a giggle of understanding.

My thoughts scatter on the winter wind.

I have projects to plan, cards to send, gifts to wrap, things to clean, walls to paint, stockings to sew, meals to plan. Scribbles hurried. Words illegible.

This season of wonder too easily becomes a season of stress.

I set the list aside and find the black book edged with gold.

Gabriel said to her, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.‘ Mary was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering. (Luke 1:29)

I am pondering it now. Emmanuel…God with us.

Love written with a life divine, a life worth slowing down to consider.

Please Join Me at Heart of the Matter

An excerpt from my new post at Heart of the Matter, Searching for Snow Globes

As a child I was enamored by snow globes. Whether cheap plastic toys with a blue background or glass orbs over intricate designs, I gazed wistfully into the magical miniature world full of wonder. When the blizzard stopped and the snow slowly fell to the bottom, I waited for every last flake to fall before I shook it again.

Photo by Keshigomu

On our honeymoon almost 15 years ago, my husband bought me a beautiful snow globe. An angel wearing a scarlet velvety gown sheltered baby Jesus. The wind-up music box underneath played Jesus Loves Me.

It was an extravagant gift at the time, and not like my practical, simple self to like a gilded knick-knack. Yet this token reminded me of the wonder of childhood on the threshold of married life.

It is, also, unlike me to cry if something breaks, but when the glass dashed into pieces a few years ago, I wept.

Please continue reading by using this link: Searching for Snow Globes.

Originally published on 12-12-2007

‘Tis the Season- Ideas to Celebrate

Presents hide in the closet and wish lists grow with advertisements. But wrapped boxes under a lighted tree aren’t where I want our focus to be.

I want my family to reflect on the liturgy of the season, traditions reminding our forgetful souls of the miracle of Christmas.

One tradition that intrigues me is the Jesse Tree. A Jesse Tree teaches the genealogy of Jesus by reading a Scripture verse and hanging a symbolic ornament each day of advent. It is a hands-on way of infusing the countdown to Christmas with meaning and wonder.

Jesse Trees

• Simple Mom shares her ideas for creating a Jesse Tree- a thorough look at simple ways of making a new tradition
• Shanan Trail made a Jesse Tree I want to copy- includes links to instructions and Scripture verses

• Domestic-Church.com has a similar idea created from sticks- use supplies gathered by your children in nature

Other Advent Activities

• My Little Mochi used bits of paper and gum to make an advent calender- simple and cute way to help your children track the days
• Sharing the Journey has an advent study using the inductive method- free thought-provoking lessons for download
• Let a Woman Learn compiled a nice selection of biblical readings- thoughtful reflections and beautiful images



• Homeschool in the Woods produced lessons about Christmas- explore the meaning of traditions in every subject
• Easy Fun School has a unit study devoted to Christmas hymns- add depth and understanding to worship
• Desiring God brings biblical stories to life with a collection of poems- listen or read these inspiring words

During this season, my children and I ruffle through the craft closet. In an effort to express gratitude, we plan to make as many gifts as possible.

Gifts Kids Can Make

• Handprints on the Wall shares a few simple, cute handprint crafts- capture the memories of growth

• Activity Village has instructions for making photo frames- use old CD boxes to create these unique frames
• Just Pure Lovely helped her daughter turn her drawing into a keepsake- a great way to introduce sewing

• Secret Agent Josephine made cards from her toddler’s watercolors- turn little one’s creations into altered art any relative will treasure

What are you creating this season? What are your favorite holiday traditions?

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season no matter how you celebrate!

All photos are linked to their owners. Used by permission. Also, thanks to oohamanda and 3stairs for links sent to me via Twitter.

Simple Lessons for Thanksgiving

My parents meandered down from Idaho for the holidays. The time treasured, three years to make up. Lessons pause, yet squirm in my mind.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow; the Pilgrims still haven’t spoken.

That will change as we enjoy our own Thanksgiving play (pdf).

Other ideas for simple lessons:

• Thanksgiving lapbook- links and ideas for creating a paper keepsake
• Thanks and giving tree- add gratitude with this beautiful download

Printing these resources as the turkey thaws, I’m reminded textbooks can’t draw snails or gather hugs. Grandparents can.

(They can also help finish painting your house!)

What are you doing for Thanksgiving? What is your favorite activity or tradition?