My son’s first Christmas was special. Not only did he, at six months old, have a
fascination for everything bright and shiny, but he brought back the magic of
Christmas to me and his dad.
Recently we spent the day with him and his
partner and new baby, and although Christmas is a way of yet, as I write, her
curiosity with her surroundings, we’d gone out for a meal, reminded me of her
father’s reactions on his first Christmas.
Give a baby/toddler a gift and they’ll play
with the wrappings and packaging for hours after offering a cursory glance at
the item. It’s the way of babies and
young animals J
But our grandchild’s expressions were a
delight to watch. Yes, I know, you’re
thinking, well every child’s face is expressive, and that’s true, but I’ve
never seen a six-and-a-half month chid look as though they are fathoming out
the intricacies of what they are watching in quite the way my son’s child does.
Surroundings and people are forgotten and the focus slims down to what is in
front of her.
Once again, I was gifted with the memory
that the riches and magic of Christmas are not measured by the size and
price-tag of the gift, but the gift of seeing life through the uncomplicated
eyes of a young child.
So, my son’s reactions on his first
Christmas are constantly re-gifted to me when I watch his children approach and
experience their own first Christmas.
When plunged into a world of spies, agents and espionage during the Peninsula wars, Honor, Lady Beaumont, flees for her life when the French capture her husband at Salamanca, and relies on his batman to arrange her safe passage back to England.
Viscount Charles Vidal is ordered by Robert Dumas, the First Lord of the Admiralty, to travel to Spain and escort the only woman he’s ever loved, Lord Devlin Beaumont’s widow back home before the French discover her whereabouts.
Their journey is fraught by danger, least of all knowing whether they are surrounded by friends or foe. Will they survive long enough to explore the possibility of a future together or will whispers of treason be enough to see Honor dispatched to Tyburn first?
Although I have wonderful memories of the family christmases as a kid, I do agree though, Sherry, sharing your first christmas with your own child is very special indeed.
ReplyDeleteYeah, kids can definitely turn the tables on gifts ... particularly at those very young ages. Focus more on the bow or the wrapping than the contents. Play more with the container than the item itself.
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter was expecting our first grandchild, I wrote him a letter (which he's prob. never seen) in which I promised I would not buy him expensive electronic gadgets. I said I would buy him toys that he could build with or make things with, or otherwise enjoy with his own creativity. And, of course, BOOKS.
:-) Thanks for coming by Iris.
ReplyDeleteJeff, I hope your letter wasn't thrown away, --- and of course BOOKS:-)
Awww - what a cute photo! Grandchildren -- who's old enough for them? NOT US!! LOL
ReplyDelete