We have a cookie making tradition in our home.
Every Christmas Eve, I pull out the Christmas cookie cutters and roll out a large amount of sugar cookie dough. From a pile of flour, butter and sugar comes little delicacies: snowmen, angels, candy canes, trees, bells, crosses, stars, gingerbread men, etc. From there, I open up a big can of frosting, put out a variety of sprinkles and cookie toppings, then let the kids go nuts.
Well, not completely nuts.
The boys still need a little supervision and an extra set of hands on deck. They still have not quite grasped the whole “less is more” concept when cookie decorating. In their eyes, the more glitz they can add to a cookie, the better. I have on more than one occasion asked, “Would you like a little cookie to go with those sprinkles?” But, we have fun regardless.
We decorated all of our cookies this morning, then set out early this afternoon to visit with a wonderful family. Gil is a senior deputy sheriff and an active SWAT team member, while Sandy is in charge of the 9-1-1 dispatch unit. The kids got the chance to have one-on-one time with them, and listened as they shared stories of what they do. Gil shared with them his responsibilities and what he does to help protect other people and our community. He showed them his gear and I think it was a toss-up between the handcuffs and gas mask for “coolest” accessory. Grady told him that one day he wanted to be a police officer (as well as a firefighter and astronaut…). I can’t help but wonder if one day he too will recall the day when he met an actual officer and still feel the awe that he did today.
I am grateful for the opportunity my kids had today for this experience. The care and attention that other people show them does not go unnoticed by me. I appreciate the time other people carve out of their busy schedules and set aside for my family. You never know how your interactions with another person, particularly a child, can direct the course of their life. I’ve found you can never underestimate the power and impact a simple one-on-one discussion can have. Often times, these are the moments that leave lasting impressions.
Our countdown is just about through. What an amazing journey this has been! I’ll be composing my final post for the “Embracing a Spirit of Giving 2011″ project this evening and post it tomorrow morning. But, for now, I am enjoying my children and relishing in their excitement. We will attend a candlelit midnight mass this evening before they head off to bed before. I hope their dreams are indeed sweet before they arise Christmas morning, when we’ll celebrate the day we have been waiting for all countdown.
I hope your evening is beautiful.
