Hailey's CHRISTMAS Program

So I head out last night under the threat of really bad weather for a school program for Hailey that I'd wouldn't miss for the world. I am a bit sad about it because after 12 years of continuiously having Chistmas programs at New Central I know that this is the last year. Hailey heads for middle school next year and this is the last elementary school Christmas program I attend till I have grandchildren. Which should be a while....

Anyhow, I arrive about 15 minutes before the program and there is nothing that even resembles a seat to be had so I resign myself to standing the entire program. Oh well, I knew I didn't want to miss this.

Just when I was too sad about it being the last one, and annoyed that I was too hot and knew I had to stand there for the next almost hour someone comes around and hands me the program. I look at it. The first thing that struck me and made me smile was that this was called a "Christmas" program - not a holiday program.

Now, I've been attended these Christmas programs for 12 years now and I'm always pleased because though I'm not sure if they've always been called Christmas programs, I do know that there is usually one faith based song sung during the program. I've thought every year how nice it is that my kids attend a school where that is allowed. But this year was different. I noticed it right away. Instead of Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (or as Ryan heard and sung it for his Kindergarden program - Rudolph the "ett" nose reindeer) the songs this year were Away in a Manger, The First Noel, O Come All Ye Faithful, Hark the Herald Angles Sing, What Child is This, We Three Kings of Orient Are, O Little Town of Bethlehem and Joy to the World. In fact, during a little skit put on one student got up and told the "real" meaning of Christmas and proceeded to tell the audience of the birth of Jesus.

Blow me away! Public schools that don't try to discourage faith and a belief in Jesus. I would have expected the same Christmas program from Hailey's school if she'd been going to private Christian school. Thank God!

I also noticed on their gym wall was a poster - "God Bless Our Troops".

So, instead of last night being so sad for me it was a real boost to know that even in today's politically correct culture some schools can still remember that this is CHRISTmas.

Today I'm allowing myself to be sad that it was my last Christmas program at school and that my daughter is growing up.

When a child grows up.

I've had this discussion with a friend. At what age does a child start realizing they are not the center of the universe? I think it happens slowly and little by little, they begin to put others first. Then perhaps, for most, it reverts during those teen-age years. Hopefully, by the late teenage years they've once again realized they are not the center of the universe.

I mention this because I witnesses something very special this weekend. Brent really wanted to go miniature golfing yesterday. As I had a lot to do and wasn't feeling that well, I reluctantly went. I eventually decided to go because Ryan has hit that age where he doesn't want to do much with mom and I thought to myself that someday Brent will be there (soon I'm sure) so I should take advantage of every opportunity I get to spend time with him.

So, Brent, Hailey and I head out to the park and when we get there I get my purse out and get ready and Brent says "you can leave your purse in the trunk, I'll pay". WOW, what an incredible gift on his part to me. Not that I can't afford the $16.00 to miniature golf, but I just thought that the mind set of wanting to pay had hit that level where he decided to put someone (me and his sister) ahead of himself or something he could have bought for himself with that money.

It was the best game of miniature golf in the world!