Something about the new year makes me want to go through the house and give away things we aren't using or wearing or playing with. (To declutter, mainly because it feels so cluttered in my brain, I do not need my living space to add to that chaos...♥)
A big one that we have been downsizing on is our toys. I had this idea that if there was something that Ryder didn't play with, maybe Eden would like it, or if he grew out of something, I would hold onto things for her. We realized that there are only so many toys that can occupy my kiddos and the truth is, the simpler, the better. Ryder loves his legos and his nerd gun and toy cars. Eden loves her doll and her books (And getting into whatever her brother is getting into.)
We love to give our toys to church, because we get to see kids use them and we see kids that are having a tough time with separation anxiety have fun playing with something new, while they miss their parents.
To my surprise, Ryder has been TOTALLY on board. Don't get me wrong, it's not that he isn't one to share, it's just that he's 3 1/2 years old and giving is not the most natural thing for his little self.
Well, this little boy knocked my socks off a few days ago.
We had a made a small bag for donation of some books and little toys that he hadn't been interested in. I went to put the bag in the garage, and Ryder came running out with his little blanket. (This blanket was made by a sweet friend of mine from high school and she gave it to him when he was 6 months old, and he has slept with it EVERY night since.)
He runs up and says, "Mommy, I want to put my tiny blankie in for the babies that cry at church. No one would cry with tiny blankie and say WAH, WAH! Sissy says WAH! WA! when she goes to her class too."
I stood back and wanted to cry. This was his most prized possession, his most precious belonging, and he was willing to donate it for crying babies at our church nursery.
I told him how precious and generous that was and what an amazing heart he has, but that his name was on his blanket and so maybe that was a good one that we could keep for babies that visit our house and cry. He agreed. We called Kit at work and Ryder told him about the babies at church that would LOVE tiny blankie... My heart just swelled with such pride. Blankie remains with Ryder whenever he sleeps and is the number one comfort object for my son, and everytime I see it now, I think of that selfless little act that my kiddo was willing to do.
I praise the Lord for the gift it is to be this little man's mom.
