A Pocketknife and a Shubble: 2005

It is not always easy to remember all the requests, all the looks, all the terms of endearment, but always remembered is the feeling you have when children have your full attention. I'll just tell you about a few of them when I write, not meaning to take away from the rest. They are all important and should be remembered. I'm sure they are recorded somewhere by someone who is more adequate than I. One little boy was with his younger brother. He was five and his brother was about three. They had on matching tan coat vests with wool collars. It was evident that the younger brother thought his older brother was "it". Whatever his brother wanted, he wanted too.

His brother wanted a pocket knife. Santa talked with him about how dangerous they could be and was he sure he was old enough for such a grown up toy? What did he want it for, anyway? "I want it for camping," he said. "So I can be ready for bears in the woods." Now that is a brave little lad, if you know what I mean. His brother said he wanted a pocket knife also, until he was reminded that he wanted a shovel.

"Oh ya," he said. " A shubble, and I can shubble off all the roads." One thing about these brothers. They think BIG! Wouldn't it be wonderful if we kept that about our childhood? What could be accomplish if we believed in ourselves and our abilities. I found it to be so true, raising our own children that often they have very valuable lessons to teach us. Think big!

Mrs. Claus