"In the eyes of children, we find the joy
of Christmas. In their hearts, we find its meaning."
– Leland
Thomas
As kids, the anticipation of opening gifts on Christmas morning was almost more than we could stand. But as adults, the holidays become less about the wrapped gifts under the tree and more about the people-shaped gifts who bless our lives every day. Especially the children.
Children are little shining stars that can guide us grown-ups
out of the darkest places with just a smile or a laugh. After the tragedy in Connecticut last
week, I’m taking a moment to honor the children who are stars in my life.
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| My Macy's Heart of Haiti star on the mantle. |
Of course, first and foremost, there is my son, Quinn. Because of him, I now know an
intense, scary, joyous love that I never thought possible. He makes every day
an adventure on which I can’t wait to embark. He’s my angel and my brightest
star.
I’ve had the pleasure of watching our nephews and niece grow over the last five years. Justin is becoming such a mature,
responsible young man. Devon is
funny and fearless. Ashlyn is sweet
and nurturing. The three of them
love Quinn so much and help take such good care of him.
There’s the lovely Claire
who has beaten the odds and already survived so much in her short life. With her
brand new liver, she is strength and courage in a pink dress and cowgirl hat.
Our tightly knit circle of mommy friends has grown even closer as our babies have grown
into toddlers. We adore each other’s children and have delighted in watching
them grow together.
There’s the beautiful Eliana
whose fire and spirit are contagious. Her laughter sounds sweeter than jingle
bells. Her smile, brighter than any star.
There’s the loving Luca
who is sturdy and strong, rough and tumble. He’s always ready to give a hug and
snuggle. The sparkle in his eye reflects sheer joy, with just a hint of
mischief.
There’s the deep and thoughtful Kedric whose intense and knowing stare makes him seem wise beyond
his years (year?). Then, suddenly, he breaks his spell over you with a huge
smile that spreads across those big, squeezable cheeks.
There’s the sweet and social Maddie who will engage anyone in conversation and reel them in with
her smile. She’s playful and fun. She exudes happiness.
There’s the charming Olivia,
the newest and eldest member of the toddler crew. She primarily speaks Spanish,
but her kind and loving heart tells us everything we need to know.
These children and several others have inspired me in
profound ways. Each of these little shining stars has taught me something. About
love. About life. About living a life that is worthy of having them in it.
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| My Macy's Heart of Haiti star on the side table. |
The Macy’s Heart of
Haiti collection features more than 40 home decor items including quilts,
metalwork, jewelry and paintings, all made almost entirely from recycled and
sustainable items. To date, the program has improved the lives of over 6,200 individuals by providing artists with an opportunity to make a living, feed their families and provide an education for their children.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. #CleverHaiti
