Little Drummer Boy (my 3 1/2 year old) and I have a little game that goes something like this…
Mommy: Do you have a hug for me today?
LDB: No. (said with a giggle)
Mommy: Oh no! I need a hug. Don’t you have one for me?
LDB: No. (more giggling)
Mommy: Do you have one in your pocket?
LDB: (extended pause) Ummm. Yes.
And, he pulls an imaginary hug out of his pocket and gives it to me. Nice.
Sometimes…
Mommy: Are you sure you don’t have a hug for me? I really need a hug this morning.
LDB: But, I have one at school.
Mommy: You have it at school?
LDB: Yes. (said with a giggle)
Mommy: Are you going to bring it home for me?
LDB: Yes.
Mommy: I wish I had a hug right now.
LDB: But, I don’t have any more hugs.
He usually relents and somehow finds one before he heads out the door.
There are a hundred variations. Sometimes the game translates to a request for his “special” kisses–the ones that aren’t just a peck, but all slobber and giggles. My usual response is “Oooh, I’m going to keep that all day long.” It’s the dance we do. And, I’m a willing participant. I relish the process because I know one day (way before I’m ready) I’ll have to do a lot more begging that that to get a hug from my big man. One day he’ll be the one leaning down for the hug instead of me.
One morning this week, the game took a slightly different turn…
Mommy: You’re out of hugs? But, I really wanted a hug. Can you get another one?
LDB: Yes, I can get one. From The Hug Store.
Where does he get this stuff? Laughter ensued from Mommy and Daddy, which made Little Drummer Boy giggle, too. And, of course, I gave him a shake-down to find the one last hug hidden deep inside after all.
The Hug Store. Talk about your retail therapy.
Who am I kidding? What he’s offering, money can’t buy!
The tiny messages God continues to include with our gifts — 2 little joys of boys and 1 little jewel of a girl, each with open eyes, open ears, open hearts, and much to teach. “Behold children are a gift of the Lord…” (psalm 127:1)