Almost Here!

It's the eve before Christmas Eve and I'm feeling happy and blue at the same time. I guess the sentimental reminiscent thoughts are getting to me. This must be what catching the Christmas spirit is all about when you are middle-aged.

It's weird because I don't feel like I'm 44. Parts of my body are letting me know my age but my mind is telling me I'm still a teenager or a college age kid. Is it the season or just my immaturity showing it's true colors? I know what my wife would say.

I had the pleasure of being at home today with Ben and Jessie. Jessie has learned how to wrap presents this year and it sure has been a help. The past few Christmases we've been lucky to get everything under the tree much less prettied up for the viewing enjoyment of our kids. Of course one of our kids has been "Grinched" the past two years and could care less about presents, bows, ribbons, and lights. The past few days has been a chance for the Waddells to renew our feelings of good tidings and great joy.

I secretly watched my daughter wrapping Ben's presents this afternoon. She was so meticulous in choosing the paper that he would enjoy most. She made sure there was as little tape as possible so that his fingers can almost effortlessly pull the paper apart to reveal his grand gifts. I watched as she tried several stick-on bows. "Perhaps this red one will please him! Or maybe the purple one! I think I'll use the gold one because it will sparkle better under the tree."

I don't mention my daughter as much as I should. In the exchanges with other families of exceptional children we've found that the siblings are almost always very mature for their ages. Such is the case with our little Jess. I'm gonna guess that these kids are forced to grow up just a bit quicker than most kids. They're counted on as helpers and caregivers long before other children are expected to contribute to the family in such a way.

In that sense it is regretful but I do believe it has been a blessing for Jessie. Her creativity and awareness has been enhanced. She has an everlasting aura of joy around her. Recalling her recent visit to Ben's classroom is just one great example. Although she was not feeling well her instinct was to hug and love on each and every one of Ben's classmates. Folks, that takes some guts for a not-quite-10-year-old!

I guess I'm just getting around to the fact that I'm really settling into the Christmas attitude. I've said a lot the past three months. I hope the thoughts have been mostly insightful and enlightening. I hope many of them made you smile. I hope some of them made you think just a bit deeper for a moment.

Our hope for each of you this Christmas is to have faith, hope, love, joy, and peace in this Holiday Season but also in the New Year as well! Thank you for visiting here, our new friends. May all of your families be blessed by true love.