An early birthday present...

This was so big and had me choked up. It definitely warrants a double-post- even though I'm 'behind' on getting things done for Christmas. I gave the kids their baths and got everyone in jammies and teeth-brushed and even had to 're-tuck' a couple of the kids a few times. Chip is busy at the golf club working a Christmas party tonight, so I was thinking I should use a couple of hours to get some cards written and other projects wrapped up.
Instead, here I am. Holding onto a moment that happened so unexpectedly- the best little 'gift' that Wyndham could have given to me on the eve of my 35th birthday. She has no idea she even gave me such a wonderful gift...but that only adds more beauty and meaning to this moment for me.
I was just getting some things out and was planning on sitting and working at our dining room table when I heard Ava playing a little too loudly in bed. She has this thing with bringing as many animals and toys and dolls into bed with her as she can each night. I had given her 4 or 5 for the night, but apparantly I had missed the Christmas puzzle/book which she had dumped out onto her bed and was happily putting together. I made a point to just soak up this instance and again, I just hugged and kissed her knowing I would give anything to hug and kiss Teagan and re-tuck her into bed if I had that chance. Even if she was causing a bit of trouble.
As I walked back toward the dining room, I stopped to peek in on Wyndham and was surprised to see that she was still awake too.
I walked over to her for one more kiss goodnight and she smiled and held up her hand, signing, "I love you". She has done this quite a few times in the past several months...but I never tire of it- and tonight I smiled and signed "I love you" back to her. Then I started to sign "goodnight" and as I did so she pointed toward the door. I said, "No, sweetie...it's time for night-night. It's not playtime." She then smiled {and this was the moment!} and moved just a bit back on her bed and then patted the space next to herself on the bed. I said, "Do you want me to lay and snuggle by you on the bed?" and she nodded 'yes' with one of her big grins that I love so much!
I had to hold back the tears- her gesture so small in reality, yet so big in the scheme of things. I have to say, that moment in and of itself makes so many of the other things we go through each day (like the shot I had just given her before bed- she gets one each night) so worth it. I can't put a price tag on what I felt inside- and I never want to forget this moment.
I climbed in next to her for several minutes and she and I did signs back and forth. Signs like 'friends' and 'happy' and 'time for sleep'. =) I may not get all the cards in the mail or all the things done on my to-do list tonight. But I know I will always savor that "little-big moment" I had with Wyndham.
Christmas, and life, to me isn't about getting things done and checking off lists. No. It's about living with intention and understanding. It's about priorities and having them so in tune with what is Real that everything else can wait. Just so that the moments that truly matter can take center stage.