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