If It Were Only That Easy

I had a nice moment with Celia this evening.

Celia: "Daddy what do you want for Christmas?"
Me: "For you to be happy and healthy."
Celia: "No I mean what do you want for Christmas?"
Me: "I told you! All I want is for you to be happy and healthy. I wish for that every year. You don't just have to wish for presents!"

She looked at me, now aware that I wasn't playing a game with her. I don't think she had ever considered the possibility that a Christmas wish could be used on something unpurchasable. But why would she? She's four. Then she said something that made my night.

Celia: "Daddy, I'll be ok."

How sweet. She didn't say it in a brash, over-confident, or dismissive way; the thought seemed to come to her, and she said it, and then the moment was over. For her, anyway--I'm thinking and writing about it four hours later.

Would that the next 20 years came with such an assurance. They don't, of course, which is why I am always such a stress case, and also why I hold these moments dear.

Celia's declaration seemed to resolve my worry for the time being, though, so it was time to get on talking about the real gifts of Christmas--you know, things.

Me: "Well, in that case, I do want a new winter jacket."
Celia: "Oh, like one you can make tight and cuddly?"
Me: "Yes, definitely a warm and cuddly one."
Celia: "That's nice."

She understood that, having just been given a new warm and cuddly jacket herself. And that was it; we talked about the jacket for a bit longer, but didn't venture into the territory of my real wishes, which always revolve around happiness and health. I never take them for granted.

I'm glad Celia is still focused on the transactional, commercial side of Christmas. No need to have her think about things she can't really control so early in life. She'll have plenty of time for that later. And it certainly makes shopping for her much easier.

But if I could trade in all my current and future Christmas gifts for a guaranteed 20 years of Celia being healthy and happy…well, that would be the best gift of all.