An Unusual Gift

Here it is, Christmas time again.  Oh, it can get so crazy and stressful...  I, often, can't wait for it to be over, so I don't have to worry any more.

This time of year, however, does hold some wonderful memories for many, myself included.  One of my favorites is one of the most unusual gifts I ever received for Christmas.

As most of you know, I have four wonderful chidren.  My youngest son, Baylee, just turned eight.  He is one of the sweetest children one can imagine.  He does not go through the day without telling me how beautiful I am, and that I'm the best Mom in the world, universe, galaxy, whichever word he's into that day.  My walls are covered with beautiful drawings that he does for me, often twenty at a time...  so much for saving trees!  At Christmas and on my birthday, Baylee always wants to surprise me with the best presents, to show me how much he loves me.  I have aquired a room full of toys in the past few days, ranging from transformers to a life-sized Superman!  Every time we go to Dollar Tree, I give him a few dollars to go pick out gifts, which he totally loves.  This is how I received my most memorable gift.

Last year, as I was finishing up the shopping for stocking stuffers, the kids and I loaded in the car and headed to Dollar Tree.  I sent Baylee with his oldest brother, Alex, so I could get the stuffers (from Santa, of course) and Baylee could do his Christmas shopping.  I met up with them at the front of the store, once we all had our treasures disguised in colored shopping bags.  We went to the car, and Baylee was so excited about what he chose for me, he didn't want to wait to tell me.  Alex and I kept trying to tell him to keep it a secret, so I would have something to open on Christmas morning.  Well, we tried.

By the time we got home, Baylee couldn't contain himself any more.  His brothers and sister were laughing, so I assumed it was going to be one of those Mama moments that we sometimes deserve an Emmy for.  Of course, I, honestly, would love anything that comes from my children, but at times it is a bit difficult not to let out a chuckle.   I, finally, ran the older kids off, and let Baylee present me with my gift.  I could see the excitement building, as he ran to get the bag, and it was almost as if he wanted to pull the gift out slowly, to savor the moment.  He reached into the bag, with his skinny little arms, and pulled out my gift with great glee!  "Do you like it Mama?", he asked, as he presented me with a beautiful black Barbie doll.  She came with a couple of beautiful dresses, and a comb and accessories to fix her beautiful, long black hair.  

What did I do?  I took my sweet, loving child into my arms, as I held my new doll close.  I put the doll on my dresser, to be displayed for months to come (until Bay couldn't resist fixing her hair, and somehow, it ended up lost in his room).  When we left the room, Baylee's older brothers and sister snickered over the gift that he had so carefully and lovingly selected.  When Baylee went off to play, I sat the older ones down and told them how much that doll, honestly, meant to me.  I explained to them how I am so proud of each of my children, as they are loving, giving children.  I, also, spoke to them about the fact that they have all been raised to see others as equal to ourselves.  I told them that Baylee had showed me, by selecting a toy, not based on color, instead on what he knew I would enjoy, that I was doing a good job in teaching them the values that I want them to learn.

Although many still get a chuckle out of my black Barbie, that will remain one of my treasured memories as long as I live.