a surprising Christmas (GMX2)

Hi all,

Just wanted to share a few stories from the past two days that brightened my spirits. I was going into Christmas Eve screaming "Bah Humbug!" debating whether I should go to my home church's midnite service with my parents. Eventually I decided to go. When I got there, all I saw were the old people who wanted to give their favorite Guardian a hug. Blech!

But soon after some of my former Sunday School students (15-18 yo now) started running over to me one or two at a time. "This is guite a surprise," one boy said over and over again smiling. I got a great hug from a gorgeous petite 17 yo girl who I taught when she was 8 and 11. All of them were genuinely glad to see me.

During the service it hit me hard that God had granted the sole desire of my life several years ago. All I've ever asked for is to make a positive difference in the world and in the lives of children. Generally, these kids were rich, spoiled brats and I figured they had long forgotten me. But they hadn't.

I have been bitching at the Creator as of late because I want to work with children and impact their lives, but few opportunities have arisen. God reminded me at that church service that I had made a difference, in spite of the way each Sunday School year ended negatively.

I thought of this Christmas song. Pay attention to the fourth verse.

1) Star Child, Earth Child, go-between of God,
Love child, Christ child, heaven's lightning rod

Chorus: This year, this year, let the day arrive
When Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive!

2) Street Child, Beat Child, no place left to go,
Hurt child, used child, No one wants to know

3) Grown Child, Old Child, memory full of years,
Sad child, Lost child, story told in tears

4) Spared Child, Spoiled Child, having, wanting more,
Wise child, faith child, knowing joy in store

5) Hope-for-peace Child, God's stupendous sign,
Down-to-earth child, star of stars that shine

The Creator sent me a message, a stupendous sign, through those grown children Tuesday night. No matter where they come from or where they are going, children need us. Someone who will listen to THEM and value what THEY say.

I've avoided church for the past two years partially because I didn't want to work with the privileged child. I'm realizing I was wrong, that God can even use me to reach a child spoiled and spared. But still, I should give priority to the hurt, lost, and sad child.

My cousins are very rich, and I had sometimes held myself back from spending time with their children because they are so spoiled. Some of you may remember my post in October about displaced anger that lashed out at my 5 yo Barbie doll-like second cousin. Well, because of the lesson learned at church, I tried to spend time with her Christmas Day.

I watched "Lilo & Stitch" with her, her teenage sister, and a boy cousin. I knelt beside the bed they were laying on face-forward. A few minutes later, the 5 yo cousin forcefully traded places with the boy, either to get away from her sister or to get closer to me. We'll assume the latter. :c)

For enigma, she stuck her sock feet up in face around the bedpost a few times. I nearly reached out to tickle her feet a few times but held back since the sis was there.

But the sister fell asleep. :c) The 5 yo was sitting on the edge of the bed now. I had a thought. My grandma, her great-grandma, used to rub my kneecaps saying "Grandma's Sugar". I decided to tell "S" about it and started rubbing her knees through her velvet pants.

She obviously liked it, grinning at me several times. I eventually stopped, resting my hand beside her left thigh. She moved her leg away a few minutes later, but shortly brought her leg back into contact with my arm. This happened several times before the movie ended.

All in all it was a great Christmas this year. The little gifts from these young people meaning so much more than any other presents. I kicked myself all the way home when I realiized my Grandma (who died when I was very young) also rubbed my tummy saying "Grandma's sweetheart". Oh well, that can be lesson number two! :c)

Guardian

P.S. To Bubbles and Sandy Cheeks: She got a Powerpuff Girls coloring book from an aunt. I knew enough to talk with her about the trio from our conversations. Thanks. FYI, I gave her an edited version of Peter Pan.