One Size Fits All

I was lucky enough to play one of Santa’s helpers at a community event last week.  I felt pretty special, not everyone gets the opportunity to get a gig of this magnitude with the big man himself, especially at this busy time of year, and the best part wasn’t even being able to whisper sweet nothings into his (note: my love muffin was the one dressed in red and a beard) ear reminding him what a good girl I had been all year, although that was a nice perk.

The doors were opened, children, parents and grandparents were greeted one and all but the focus was on the under four foot crowd with holiday games, music, kid food, a magician and toys… a boring conference room was transformed into a kid-friendly mecca of seasonal spirit.  The mood was right for the honored attendees to partake in a special time with Santa and his elves.

With everyone enjoying himself or herself, their tummies filled and the kid-powered enthusiasm in full tilt, the real reason for the season became apparent.  You wouldn’t think that the workers would be the ones that got the most out of a morning planned with the kids in mind but through the magic of Santa, the elves were the recipients of the best gifts of all.

No brightly wrapped boxes had to be opened, no worrying if the color or size of the sweater was right, when the smile of a happy child sparkled and shined, the payoff for donning my elfing attire was more than warranted.

To see the excitement and hope that these kids held made me wonder when was the last time I felt that way.  In my old age something has replaced that feeling that I saw with those kids – I know I had it at one time, but it must have been misplaced or put away for safe keeping.

So I got to thinking, as I do in these situations, why are the little things overlooked or overshadowed when the big picture becomes, well, too big.  What really is important in the spectrum of life?

A smile, a warm embrace, a wink of the eye, an XOXOX on a note stuck in a lunch bag, the hour(s) you spend and the conversation you have with a good friend over a piece of chocolate cake and a cup of coffee… the time that it takes to extend yourself ever so briefly to connect with another person will have a lasting impact that you may not even realize – and not just for the other individual involved… you’ll be happily surprised what you get out of it, too.

Those kids didn’t know they got into my heart or what series of events that were set into motion from their spontaneous reaction to something so obvious, so right in front of our eyes that it sometimes tends to be missed.

Let’s not let this one get by us – it’s a good day to start a new trend… and make the effort to connect and before long it won’t even be an effort but an essential part of who we are.

Cynthia A. McClelland, curious observer of the obvious with interpretations of the oddities of daily life.  Mother, wife and lover of the furry, resides in the north Lake Tahoe area.

Cynthia A. McClelland © 2003-