Hunting and Gathering

Well, I’ve been off my bloggin’ wagon for about two weeks; the great giveaway I was planning has only happened in fits and starts and I’ve had to be O.K. with that. It’s weighed on me that I haven’t been true to my word but I’m doing the best I can and that’s all I can do. It is what it is. And, it’s all good.

This time of year is exciting, inspiring, hectic, and wonderful – not to mention overwhelming. Often, all at the same time! And I find I have to remind myself again and again to make sure I am sitting back and enjoying the promise and anticipation, the illumination and the symbolism. To not get so caught up in the stuff that is not important, so that I am able to embrace those things that really are.

Watching my children’s sense of wonder, their willingness to believe, and their downright impatient anticipation is a delight. Trying to make sure I have everything I need for everyone on my list is a challenge. Wrapping up all my grading is a relief. Wrapping up all the presents is a pain. And sitting quietly in my house with all the Christmas lights on and a fire burning is like a prayer – still, contemplative, hopeful. I could sit for a very long time.

If I didn’t have that darn to-do list, and two kids who need me often and hands-on, and yes, all that stuff still waiting to be given away. And the stuff, it has been accumulating. Though I haven’t written about it in the past two weeks, I’ve been hunting and gathering. Goodwill will be happy to see me pull up. A crib, toys, books, clothing . . . I’ve made it through both kids’ rooms and my closet. My husband’s closet might be next – I take no prisoners (he may not be happy about that).

The deal is – I need to get rid of the stuff now because in about two weeks, more will be coming in. And like the give and take of life, we can only handle so much stuff. So I’m trying to purge. And while purging, I might just find those two gifts I hid somewhere . . . perhaps between a rock and a hard place . . . trying to balance all those needs and wants. And as I sit here by the fire, with the Christmas lights keeping me company, I have a feeling it’ll all unfold – exactly as it needs to and in its own perfect time. I'm counting on that.

Red Racers

(Day 2 of the Great Giveaway)

We got our Christmas tree last night which meant I had to go up in the attic to get all the Christmas "stuff" - wreaths, red bows, garland, Santas, tree decorations, lights. After handing down all this stuff to Taggart and Sage - who, by the way, are loving all the holiday ritual - I looked around to see how bad it really was up there. And I sort-of surprised myself because I thought, "This could be so much worse!"

There were only a couple non-Christmas related boxes, which is really kind-of shocking to me. One plastic bin whose contents I could not remember beckoned to me so I decided to take a quick peek before disembarking down the attic stairs. Very little was in it - some baby socks, a play mat, and then at the very bottom, an old pair of Taggart's little red tennis shoes. His and my favorites, as a two-year-old, he wore them constantly. We called them the "red racers". They are like cool red leather shoes, reminiscent of little bowling shoes. But even better. And when they are only a size 6 1/2, they are virtually irresistible. They also were obviously hard to part with.

Well, in the past I've kept things around for the sake of having them around. For the memories. For sentimental reasons. But honestly, we don't need the "red racers" anymore. No need to hold on to them. Let someone else shine in those too-cool-for-school shoes. And we knew just who might like them - our next-door-neighbor's grandson, Lucas. Almost two, we love to find things we think Lucas might perfect for Lucas.

So Sage and I delivered those little red racers next door earlier this evening. They weren't home so we lined them up at the step by their back door. Those tiny little red shoes would bring a smile to anyone's face. And, I'm glad someone else special will have them and enjoy them. So much better than sitting in a bin in our attic for the next ten years . . . so much better.

Good Will

(Day 1 of the Great Giveaway)

Well, it certainly is not the most exciting giveaway news, but I went through the kids' closets this morning and Taggart has a collection of Brooks Brothers and Talbots dress shirts from his cousin Rucker that he will have nothing to do with. They're not "cool", he tells me. So, they've been waiting to be noticed for a year - all pressed and pretty on their hangers - and someone else is just going to have to enjoy them. I gave them away today.

Sage's clothes are so well-loved and well-worn, I was hard pressed to put anything in the Goodwill pile. But the couple salvageable pieces I did find, I have to hide until I unload them tomorrow. She will be furious if she knows. Hopefully she won't find out (or remember!) . . .

Speaking of Goodwill, one great Taggart story to share. Taggart was about three-years-old and he and I were going through his clothes. I'd tell him to either put something in the keep pile or the Goodwill pile. Then, I put the whole bag of clothes to go to Goodwill by the door so they'd be ready to take the next morning.

The next day, Jeff says to me, "What's with that bag of clothes for your hairdresser?" And I'm thinking, "What would Will want with a bunch of Taggart's old clothes???" I asked Jeff what Taggart had told him. And he said Taggart shared that "They were for Will, who cuts mama's hair." Of course, the only Will Taggart knew about was my Will - he had no frame of reference for Goodwill. So, with perfect three-year-old logic and "good" sense, Goodwill was my Will. And he is Good Will, just not the one I deliver old clothes to : )