The reason for the season

Having a child changes everything, and this year it's changed Christmas for our family.  More than ever I'm focused on those that aren't able to provide the life we live for Anna to their children.  I can't imagine the despair of not knowing where your next meal will come from, that your child will be clothed down the road, or that you will have a stable roof over your head for the foreseeable future.  Mike and I try to be as charitable as we can, giving our time and money to those less fortunate and always being grateful that we are so blessed. 

This Christmas has taken on an entirely new meaning and I was thrilled when I saw the family list for our Adopt-a-Class family being sponsored by my office; there was a two-month in need of several items.  Her list included clothing, socks, musical toys, a baby monitor, and diapers.  It immediately struck me that we should continue our tradition of giving to needy families, but start a new tradition of bringing the focus to Anna as well, and what a better way than to buy for a child her age.  Although she's too young to process our gift, she "helped" me shop from the perspective of knowing what items of clothing were most helpful to have at that stage and by "testing" many of the toys we bought.  And, of course she got in on the wrapping action ; )