Christopher is an interesting study. How he manages to be so maddening and so lovable at the same time is amazing to me. He is fiercely independent, extremely curious, and intense in feeling. One neighbor said that "he just keeps 10 steps ahead of you, doesn't he?" He knows what he wants to do, get, or be, and he moves forward, without regard for time, convenience, or rule. And if you are not 100% consistent, 100% of the time (any parent knows consistency is important, but knows being perfectly consistent is impossible, due to unforeseen circumstances), watch out!! He has constantly made me re-evaluate my parenting skills and has brought me to my knees in frustration (which is where Heavenly Father would like us to be when figuring out how to raise His children anyway. . .). He was the first child we've had that made me sigh with relief instead of tears when he started school.
He has also reminded me of the pure joy of life and the wonder of creation and just being. He has lit up my heart with smiles that fill his whole face, hugs that practically crack your ribs, and tender kisses accompanied by the words, "I love you, Mom." As I have watched him shower his intense love on others and live his life with zest, it has made all the countless times I've had to tell him to stop doing something he already knows he's not supposed to do, drive around the neighborhood looking for him yet again, or helping him clean up another "creative" mess he's made all worthwhile.
School has been interesting. He has been blessed with amazing teachers that know just how to work with his personality. (I am so grateful for the power of prayer!) He has had some incidents in which he had to re-evaluate his philosophy of dealing with frustration and other people (and even a visit to the principal's office. . .), but they shower him with praise and love and help him work constructively through his problems.
As any mother would, I look back on my not-so-shining moments and worry about how they may have affected him and his behavior. So it was really nice to get a note from his first-grade teachers (yes, his class has two; they team-teach because one is an administrative intern) telling me of a recent class activity.
The class was discussing Christmas and talking all about getting presents, Santa Claus, and so forth. Christopher raised his hand and said, "You know, Christmas is really about baby Jesus being born. That is why we get presents." It made everyone stop for a moment, and then they said, "Oh, that's right." I don't think his teachers know how much this little note means to me, but maybe they have an idea. It means that our efforts are not in vain, that all we've tried to teach him is absorbing somewhere. Something is sinking in. I am so proud that my son would remember our Savior at Christmastime when so many exciting things can distract us, and that he would talk about Him in front of his entire class. I am humbled beyond measure to be this little boy's mother. (And, in true Christopher-fashion, as I read the note and cried, I discovered that he was trying to lock his younger sister in her room!)
Merry Christmas everyone!!
