Day 3

It's interesting to me how sometimes life gets in the way of the simple desire to give... I kept thinking today "the challenge" "the challenge" "the challenge"... I wanted to look for something to give, someone who needed or deserved it. It's not like it feels like something I HAVE to do - but something that I very much want to be aware of doing and not stop.
As the time continued to click by and I was driving to pick up my little one from daycare, I knew she would ask, "what are we giving today" or "what did you give?" ... and I hadn't done anything yet.

So, I stopped in the drive way for a minute.

I know my daughter well - too well maybe - she is me in a small package. It would be her first or second question... I was certain.

I didn't want to lie.

I was right - 2nd question. (first one... what happened to your hair?)

I explained that I hadn't done anything yet - I had been too busy. "too busy to give?" the words so simple... a little cutting...

Yes, my reply...

We thanked her daycare provider and headed out the door. It was later than usual and my daughter Ellie generally goes to bed pretty early so that meant that our time together was looking to be very little. As she finished telling me about her day, I said, "I know what I want my gift to be"

What?

Time... with you. Your choice.

And so Ellie and I headed to Build A Bear, one of her favorite places and we spent some quality time together ... mom and daughter. A gift of time. Of conversation. Of one-on-one attention.

Amazing!