We were in the process of putting our Christmas tree up and I was pondering on how this was going to be a really small Christmas this year and how my toddler wants absolutely everything, when I got a wake up call. The people who were putting in our windows were telling me how the season is going for them. Their family is having a rough year. Some family members have passed away and in addition their nephew's house burnt down with all of their things. They have nothing left and three kids to clothe, and try to find some way to have Christmas. At this point my husband and I were considering putting up two trees. We have a nice pretty one that we got for $30 at 90% off (do the math on that one), and the one that I've had since I moved out of my parent's house. The big tree was already up, and I was busily putting lights on it as I thought about those poor kids. I'm making most of our presents this year so I didn't have anything that we could just pass on to them. But we had a spare tree, and we could give up some ornaments.

So, I talked to my husband about it and just before they left he went outside to give them the tree. Now, since we opened the Christmas boxes Rhys had been carrying around his special Clifford Christmas Book. He loves it, we read it ad nauseum all season, that's why it gets packed up with the decorations every year. Well, Rhys watched Daddy walk out the door with a tree and the box of ornaments we were going to give them, and he started to cry. I pulled him into my lap and explained that we still had the big tree and told him what happened to the other little kids' house.

He looked at me and said, "That kid will want my book too."

"No sweetie, we aren't giving her your book." I stroked his hair because he still sounded upset.

"No, that kid will want a book. I want to give him my book!" He insisted.

"Are you sure Rhys? You really love that book."

"Kid needs a book." He insisted again and we ran outide before the people could leave.

He told the lady that he wanted the kids to have his Christmas book so that they could have a good Christmas and I barely kept myself from crying. My beautiful boy has a really beautiful heart.

Yes. For making good latkes. [potato pancakes]

Thursday, December 14th 2006 @ 6:29 AM