"Christmas is a time when you get homesick — even when you're home." ~ Carol Nelson

We have just returned from an early Christmas celebration with Alex and Hannah in Vermont. We had a wonderful time! This will be the first Christmas in 26 years that I have not been with Alex at Christmas. I confess that it's a bit hard, but I know that things change. 

This change has reminded me of the most precious Christmas gift I have ever received. I have gotten wonderful, wonderful gifts over the years, but this one has a very special place in my heart. I'm not exactly sure how old Alex was at the time, maybe 8 or 9. He wanted something that I did not want to get him. I don't even remember what it was, but I felt that it was inappropriate for him. In my parenting wisdom, I decided to share a story of something similar from my own childhood.

As a young girl, I wanted a Barbie doll. Most of my friends wanted (or had) her too, but my parents felt that she was an inappropriate doll for a young girl to have - her curvaceous shape, her unrealistic proportions, her glitzy smile and hair. So - I didn't get Barbie - I think I got Skipper instead, and you all know that she was as flat as a board.

Anyhow, I shared my story with Alex by way of saying that he was not going to get what he was hoping for. At the end of my words of wisdom, I wistfully said that I always missed not having my own Barbie doll.

Come the Christmas morning following this conversation,  Alex presented me with my gift from him. It was a Barbie doll. I get choked up even writing about it. She was "Shopping Barbie", and came decked out in a smart outfit complete with a shopping bag - into which Alex had placed small weapons from all of his action figures. 

This is the first year that Barbie has adorned our Christmas tree. You can see that she is no longer shopping, but is on her way to a wedding. When I see her sitting there, I know that while Alex is not here this Christmas, his very special gift is keeping watch. Thank you my sweet boy.

Merry Christmas to you all..............