What Was The Best Part Of Your Day?

My son's bedtime ritual (like that of many youngmemory is a simple walk to the local airport and
children) is written in stone. After reading a book orchecking out the sites along the way.Why do we
two, we snuggle into his bed and compare notesspend so much money during the holidays on
about the day. I ask him if today was a good day andexpensive gifts that will most likely be forgotten or
being a cheerful fellow he always says "yes".Aftertossed aside or outgrown -- sometimes before the
reviewing the highlights of the day -- all the elementstinsel is taken down. In the end it is lavishing our time
that made it a "good day" -- I ask him which was theand attention on our loved ones that is the greatest gift
best part. Often the answer surprises me but afterof all.Not only is it a wonderful gift for our loved ones
some reflection I decided this fact was due to(who likely won't require a dead possum for bonding)
something pretty wonderful. My child has his priorities inbut it is also a wonderful gift for ourselves. The holiday
the right order.Noah's grandparents live in another stateseason can be frantic and filled with crazy shopping
so when they visit there tends to be even moremalls and unjolly traffic jams. Taking time out to spend
spoiling than might be expected from grandparents.quality time with our loved ones is really what we
One visit from my parents included several small giftsshould give ourselves this holiday season.Sitting around
presented at the beginning of the visit, a trip tothe kitchen table making homemade Christmas cards
Wal-Mart with grandparents to purchase a newwith Noah means our holiday message will stand out
power ranger, and another trip to Wal-Mart withfrom the pile of glitzy prepackaged cards and we will
Grandpa to buy a new Spider Man bike and helmethave spent hours together giggling over our work with
(Noah's first big bike). They also took him on severalglue, construction paper, and scissors. I don't know
outings to the park, children's museum, McDonalds andabout you but I'd much rather bond over glitter glue
so on.However after the grandparents had departed Ithan a decomposing possum.We are also working on
asked Noah about the best part of the visit. Hehis holiday gifts for various family members which I
thought for a moment and said: "Going for a walk withknow will be lovingly appreciated by grandparents and
Grandpa and seeing the dead possum."The deadcousins alike. More than crafting picture frames and
possum is located on a route we follow prettyholiday scarves we are crafting memories that I hope
regularly for our walks and we have watched thehe will cherish his whole life. And I hope that I am
decomposition process with interest. Whenever weteaching him that gifts from the heart mean much
see the possum Noah always mentions hismore than gifts from the wallet.But then he may
grandfather and whenever they speak on the phonealready know that as he snuggles down beneath his
he updates his grandfather on the status of thepillow and quilt -- both lovingly quilted by his
corpse.Just think about these stories. Noah wasgrandmother -- for his afternoon nap.
showered with gifts and lavish outings but his favorite