The gift of receiving

At church last Sunday night, our Chad's mother, Jane, let me know that she had a Christmas gift for me and TG. It was in her car, having been too bulky to bring inside.

So it was that a little bit later, we were walking to our car and saw that Jane and her husband, Greg, as well as Jane's mother, were in their car but talking to Chad and Erica -- perhaps waiting for us.

We picked up the pace and as we approached our own car, I saw that Audrey and Dagny were chatting with Jane as she prepared to hand over the gifts she had brought.

Dagny, who was wearing a gold striped Christmas dress complete with stiff crinolines, topped by a winter-white fur jacket, plus white tights and shoes of pearlescent white with bows -- she was resplendent and had been curtsying to the floor like royalty all day -- heard Jane tell Audrey that she had something for her.

And for Dagny.

I wish you could have seen what happened next. 

Dagny, decked out like a gypsy princess, bent her knees and extended her arms straight in front of her, as if she were hanging ten on a surfboard. I think the posture meant something along the lines of HOLD THE PHONE!

Because as she crouched and pointed with both hands outstretched toward Jane's car, within the depths of which, it had been revealed, there were presents, Dagny could not contain herself.

She's got something for ME! she shrieked, eyes round as banjos, face glowing, smiling through her smiles.

Never have I witnessed a child more overjoyed at the prospect of a Christmas present.

And that's fully realizing that all kids -- of all ages -- get excited about Christmas.

Jane produced a box wrapped in red and black buffalo-check paper, with a sparkly red ribbon. Dagny cradled it in her arms, enveloped in the wonder of the whole process.

A gift was given to Audrey too, and a charming basket full of goodies to me and TG.

I went home with Audrey because TG had to go somewhere and he'd be fetching me after an hour or so.

When we got to her house, I told Dagny to put the red-checked box from Jane under the Christmas tree, to open on Christmas Day.

Ohhhhhh no. Clouds gathered on the little face. Dark eyes misted and lashes grew damp. Tiny chin rested on sternum and wee white-fur-clad shoulders sagged.

Audrey tried to reason with her daughter that the present was intended to be opened on Christmas.

Dagny was having none of it.

If we'd insisted that she wait, she would have eventually recovered. She wouldn't have had any choice.

But she looked so miserable, and she'd been so good all day, and her reaction in the parking lot had been so spontaneous and authentic, that Audrey decided to let her open the gift.

She had to put on her Peppa Pig nightgown first. I went to the kitchen and made decaf to go with our snack of muffins, while that transformation took place upstairs.

When she was dressed for bed and ready to open the present, we had Dagny sit where the light was good so that I could take pictures and Audrey could make a video.

The box contained not one but two Barbie dolls. To say that Dagny was pleased would be like calling Frosty a snow cone.

She was delirious with joy and overcome with gratitude.

I LOVE IT! I can't believe I got 'em! she exclaimed, over and over. (And variations on that theme.)

She couldn't stop saying Thank You! even though the one who'd given her the gift wasn't there to thank.

I texted Jane and sent her a picture of Dag opening the dolls, and told her what a big hit the gift had been.

Later, after TG had arrived to pick me up, I told Dagny I wanted to recreate her emphatic stance in the parking lot, when she'd learned that Miss Jane had a present for her.

The picture at the top of this post is the best we could do. Except for the outfit and the setting, it's a pretty accurate representation of Dagny's reaction to Jane's news.

Do you remember being overtly thrilled at the prospect of new toys for Christmas?

Me neither.

Just kidding! I do remember. And I am still excited about everything to do with Christmas.

Nevertheless, it's a good thing that we have the precious children to remind us of how much there is to be happy about.

I hope the gift you're dreaming of is under the tree on Christmas morning, and that all of your loved ones are there to see the look of joy on your face when you open it.

And that is all for now.

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Happy Wednesday

Comments

[Mari]

This is so sweet! There is nothing like the joy of a child getting a gift. When you have kids around you really see that it is more blessed to give, right?
PS - I love Jane's wrapping paper. :)

[Jennifer]

@Mari ... you and Jane would have a lot in common! She lives in a gorgeous old farmhouse and loves the rustic vintage things just like you. Y'all have the decorating gene in common too! xoxo

[sally]

Precious Dagny! So wonderful!

xoxo

[Jennifer]

@Sally ... she's a treasure! xoxo

[Cheryl]

I love that Dagny has a thankful heart. She is a sweet child!
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

[Jennifer]

@Cheryl ... I love that about her too. Merry Christmas to you and your family! xoxo

[Donna (Texas)]

Awwww!! Nothing sweeter than a little one all mixed up with Christmas ♥️
Squeals and laughing...love it! She’s a beauty Miss Jenny!
Praying for you all to have a joyous and memorable Christmas girlfriend!!
Love you...
Hughugs

[Jennifer]

@Donna ... Nothing sweeter in all the world; you're right! You and Mr. Larry and the kids and grands have a wonderful Christmas too! Love you back ... xoxo

[Barb]

Dagny is a beautiful child, inside and out. She did hit the jackpot with 2 Barbies. I took Sam to the toy store after we got back from CA "just to look." (I was thinking if he really really wanted something, I would just buy it for him - which is a Grammy's prerogative.) He carefully cased the store - we spent quite some time looking, but he never asked me to buy anything. I was surprised (and maybe a tad disappointed...). But, I thought what a good boy he was not to beg Grammy for a new toy. They're at a sweet age - Sam tells me with big eyes about the kids who get in trouble in Kindergarten. He's such a talker, I wondered before he started if maybe he'd get in a little trouble himself at first because he has difficulty keeping quiet. However, he seems to have learned to zip his lips in the school environment when other's are speaking. You and I are lucky to have the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of little children.

[Jennifer]

@Barb ... we surely are fortunate to have these darling children in our lives. Now, Dagny may not have outright asked for a toy at the store, but she would have made her wishes known and no mistake. Sam is a little sweetheart and I pray he always stays that way. Dagny was pretty overwhelmed by her gifts of toys on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. She didn't get an over-the-top number of toys, but what she got, she loves and plays with. It's such fun to give them what we know will light up their little eyes! Happy New Year to you and Bob, my friend! xoxo