The Spirit of the Season

By far the most enjoyable experience of the Christmas season so far was to take Charlie, Sarah, and Allison shopping for each other.

I went to the toy aisle with each of them one at a time, and they selected three gifts for their siblings. They felt such joy thinking about what the others would want. Then I gave them money and they stood in line alone and purchased their gifts. They each had a bag they carried and kept as a surprise from the others.

Allison was dying to tell the others what she got for them and had a hard time keeping it a secret. On the way home, Charlie said, "It's a lot more exciting to give presents than to get presents, because it's so much fun to keep it a secret!"

Sarah is excited about the present she made for me in school. She told me, "It's quite small, but quite special!" I told her that's my favorite kind of gift!

When we got home, I spent time individually with each of them wrapping their presents, then they put them under the tree. Charlie said, "I couldn't wait for Christmas before, but now I really can't wait!"

My heart is full.