How many days left?

Tom and I discussed it and agreed that with the new bed we're building for them (would I have killed for a bed like that when I was 5!) plus all the other stuff they're likely to get, that they needed to donate some things so other kids could use them. We took them upstairs and went through every toy and game in the closet. You'd have thought we were killing them when we started...

"That's mine!"
"But I love that bunny!"
"If she doesn't want that I do!"

Eventually they got into the spirit of it, which was pretty nice. God they've got a ton of stuff... feels weird clearing out just so we can make room for more stuff. The girls keep asking me how many more days until Christmas. And if they can revise their lists. And can they go visit Santa again to make SURE he gets the most updated list possible. Sheesh... We really do try hard to put the brakes on so much commercialism and that sense of entitlement so many kids get this time of year. Honestly, between Christmas and Shannon's birthday (Dec 22), by New Years it looks like ToysRUs threw up in my house.

Shannon asked to go through our cupboards tonight and assemble a box of non-perishables to take to school for the food drive. I asked her if she knew why her class was having a food drive and she said "Because some people need more food, so they can get it at the food pantry." I was so proud that she took the initiative, wanting to donate to the school drive and help out others, but I wasn't quite sure she "got it." I took an extra minute to explain that it wasn't just more food, but some people don't have nearly enough food and go hungry sometimes. That really bothered her and knowing my kid, it'll be on her mind for several days.

Really, both my girls ask to take turns putting a dollar in the Salvation Army kettles we see outside Walgreens and Wal-Mart, they help pick gifts for kids we choose off the Angel Tree, and they can't wait to help me assemble the gift bags for the Senior Citizen home residents (will do that later this week after I buy some more things). Still, neither of them can even imagine what it would be like for Santa to not visit your house unless you were a wicked little hellion, and I admit that I really don't want to burst that bubble for them until they're a little older and not believing anymore.

When I was about 9-10 and had transitioned Santa from a person to an idea, there was a song I heard done by Nat King Cole called "The Little Boy that Santa Claus Forgot." I remember how unbearably sad I was hearing that song, how there was a child out there who had nothing new for himself only because no one cared enough about him to bother. It was extremely powerful for me and was a factor in my making a personal decision, even then, to do everything possible to help others at the holidays. When the Angel Tree goes up or volunteers are solicited to go caroling at the nursing home or I see those unobtrusive red buckets, that's when I know Christmas is here. It's the only time of year when that little boy may get anything at all.

The Little Boy that Santa Claus Forgot
(Tommie Connor/Jimmy Leach/Michael Carr)
Nat King Cole - 1957

He's the little boy that Santa Claus forgot,
And goodness knows, he didn't want a lot.

He sent a note to Santa
For some soldiers and a drum,
It broke his little heart
When he found Santa hadn't come.
 In the street he envies all those lucky boys,
Then wanders home to last year's broken toys.
I'm so sorry for that laddie,
He hasn't got a daddy,
The little boy that Santa Claus forgot.

Spoken:
(You know, Christmas comes but once a year for every girl and boy,
The laughter and the joy they find in each brand new toy.
I'll tell you of a little boy that lives across the way...
This little fella's Christmas is just another day.
He's the little boy that Santa Claus forgot,
And goodness knows, he didn't want a lot.)

In the street he envies all those lucky boys,
Then wanders home to last year's broken toys.
I'm so sorry for that laddie,
He hasn't got a daddy,
The little boy that Santa Claus forgot.