“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is about.”
— Angela Schwindt
Many years ago, my oldest son was one of the three kings in the Christmas play. He came on the stage, fearless, with one of the other kings. They both looked around to see that there was still only two kings. The audience was amused as the two looked for their missing classmate. The two kings continued on with their lines as a teacher coaxed the third king onto the stage. The audience laughed but the two kings didn’t care; the show just went on. I watched on with pride and tears in my eyes (I always cry at my kids’ school performances); the kings did not care what others thought, they were proudly reciting their lines. It was Christmas and they loved everything about it!
Children excitedly wave to their parents from the stage. They dress up in colorful, cute costumes. (I remember one year my son had to wear construction paper elf ears. He is now 31 and it is still a great memory we enjoy.) The children happily sing at the top of their lungs. Then only a few short years later, you are dragging them to their school concert and they are begging you to call and tell the school they are sick.
The enthusiasm and excitement of young children at Christmas! When did WE lose it? Why did we lose it?
Have you lost your holiday spirit? Get out and watch some children today, we can learn a lot about how to enjoy life!!
Kathi Ackerman, MSW, LGSW, LADC