A CHRISTMAS GIFT

It's a little thing.  It's Christmas and on special occasions I try to help my son's two little girls remember to do something special for their mother.  Sometimes we do hand-imprinted tee-shirts.  Sometimes homemade ornaments.  Sometimes cookies.  Sometimes we shop.  This year I thought a coffee mug was in order.

So we went to PIGMENT OF YOUR IMAGINATION, a pottery shop, here in Lawton, where the girls chose a mug to decorate for their mom.  Rather than pick two things and have them give something separately, I had them pick one thing and decorate it together.  (This was not an easy feat, as they both wanted to hold the mug at the same time and turn it in a direction that best suited their own work.  But we made it happen.)

They chose the colors to paint the background, the handle, the impressed lettering, and other embellishments.  And then we did the "special" part.  The petals making up the flowers painted on the back side of the mug are their little fingerprints.  Then inside the mug they randomly dotted the mug with their fingerprints in various colors.  We left it at the shop to have it glazed and fired in the kiln. Tomorrow I go pick it up.  When I get it I will add photos to this post for you to see the results of their handiwork.  The photo above only shows the finished work of their painting, which dries to almost powdery white before it is glazed.

When they come see me just before Christmas, they will wrap it.  They will give it to their mom when they celebrate their tree gift openings.  I, of course, won't get to have them for Christmas Eve as once was traditional for our family.  Things change when a person dies and the ones who must adapt are those left behind with an empty seat in the room.  My granddaughters' mom has remarried.  They must share their holidays with their stepfather's family as well as their mom's. 

That is a tough thing about holidays.  Many things must change that once were part of everything.  You don't just lose a person.  You lose all the pieces of their personality that once gave meaning to part of the holiday traditions.  For me, it has been a spiritual journey of loving unconditionally.  I love no matter where my family members are.  I love no matter what I'm given or not given in return.  I accept the time I am alotted.   And I pray the memories I help create in the hearts of my granddaughters are those memories most important to the spiritual growth of their lives.  May they always choose to give, rather than receive.  selahV

      

Comments

[Kat]

What a special gift for the girls to give their mom...and what a special grandma you are to make it happen.
Death and divorce are doubly hard to deal with on holidays, aren't they? We truly lose more than our loved one...we lose the continuity of our lives. One of my daughters has been divorced twice and is now dating a guy with two kids. I never know whether I will have my own grandchildren on a holiday...or someone else's...or both, or what!
All we can do is stand there in the grace of God and love others through Him.
Kat

[Trish]

I am so glad you are teaching your girls honorable behavior and not showing animosity to their mom for past differences.

May you continue to be a positive influence in their lives, displaying the love of Christ to their mom and their current family. I know your son must be so thankful that you are looking out for his daughters the way you are, looking after their spiritual and emotional health in difficult circumstances.

There is still a long road ahead of them, may you continue to pave the way to make it as smooth as possible. I pray they come to understand someday how hard this was for you and appreciate you that much more.

Treasure these times and the memories they bring,
Trish

[Kerri]

Thanks for the link of your newest post and for the update on your back. I will keep praying for your back to heal . . . and thanks for prayers for the interview with our consultant. I'm looking forward to it, and am relieved to have the writing done (so is Robert).

Your granddaughters are lovely, and your grandmothering is beautiful. You are sewing seeds into the lives of those girls that will root, and sprout and grow. Their memories of their dad are confirmed in you.

You've chosen love and graciousness and forgiveness and genuineness . . . hard choices in the face of what you have lost. But oh what others have gained and will continue to gain from your choices. You've allowed God to make you lovely Selah V, and I am blessed to know you.

[selahV]

Kat, so glad you stopped in. Divorce can rob so many people of so much. The same as a death. will keep you in my prayers. selahV

Trish...it is my prayer and focus to instill the best of character and love in these girls. It was their daddy's aim as well. While I may not be perfect, I try to do what God wants me to do.

Kerri...I am equally blessed to know you, dear friend. Life has thrown me quite a few curveballs. Many I've missed and have not known how to hit even when I knew they were coming. But God is faithful to get me through it all. selahV