I am so glad to hear that you participated in Operation Christmas Child!!!!
Here is what happened with Kevin and his box. Last Sunday evening after dinner at my inlaws we took the kids shopping. The older children surely seen some things they wanted for themselves, but they knew the task at hand was for the shoe boxes. But Kevin really could not think of anyone but himself. We had talked to him, on his level about wanting to do something for a little boy that did not have as many toys as he does. Every thing he seen, he wanted, but only for himself. Then he found his dream toy. When we ask him if that was what he wanted to buy for his box, he said...NO, for me. He was whinny, and crabby, and there was NO WAY, he was agreeing to buying any toy for anyone but him. It was not much fun for him, especially when we did not buy anything for HIM. All I could think was that this little guy was not going to be able to handle this project or grasp it at his age. We purchased the things "the kids" <as Kevin calls his siblings!!> picked out for their boxes. We left the store with nothing for Kevin's box. It was my hope that maybe it was just late, and there were too many distractions for him. I figured that I would take him out the next day and see if I came up with any better results. The following day, I was dreading it, but I took him shopping. I was shopping mainly for the personal hygiene items that were to go in the boxes. As we shopped, I was telling him about why we needed to buy these things. He begged to go look at toys. After a time, I let him go browsing. To this point, I had not even suggested him choosing something to buy for the box. We were in the front of the store, and I took him out of the cart. There was a large toy display, he looked around for a long time. He was really interested in these "Volkswagen Punch Buggies" as he calls them. Watching him as he checked out these cars was priceless to me. He was so intent on looking at all the varieties and colors of these die cast cars. I observed him from a distance, attempting to give him some space. He brought over to me a Black Volkswagen. He ask if we could buy it. I told him, that I was not buying it for him on that day, but maybe he could get one for Christmas. I then ask him if he would like to buy one for the little boy that would get the Christmas box we were putting together. (At this time, I was in the check out lane) I could see that he was thinking about my question. I was expecting him to say that he did not want to buy it for someone else, but that he wanted for himself.
He was walking back to the display. He stopped and turned around and said, "OK Mom, lets buy this for that little boy, I bet he will really like it." I was nearly moved to tears by his realization and desire to "give." I ask him if he understood that he would not get to play with it, but it would need to be put in the box and it would be given away. He said, "OK mom, will you buy it?? and mom, can I take it out of the package to put in the box?? and mom, can I see if the doors and the trunk open??" I was getting concerned, how this would all work out. We bought the toy. He was very excited about it. He showed it to his siblings when they got home from school. He explained to them that it was for his box, but he was allowed to open it, and look at it, but not play with it.
I was impressed but worried. I still thought when the time came to actually put it in the box...he would remember how much he wanted this car for himself. He throughly inspected the car once it was opened. He learned all he could about it, and put it on the table with the yet to be wrapped shoe box. Again, I was touched and totally impressed by his behavior, but I knew we were not out of the woods so to speak. I seen him a few times looking longingly at the car. And a time or two standing by the box, with the car in his little hands. When he seen me he would say..."I am just looking at it mom." He also spent a good bit of time looking at the little "catalog" that came in the box. At one point he ask, "Mom, would it be OK if we gave the car away but I could keep this little book to look at??" Once again I was touched. He looked at this little advertising booklet for a long time. He showed it to me a couple of times, informing me of various features of the cars pictured. When the time came to wrap the box and pack all the items in it, I held my breath. I needed to wipe a few little finger prints of the shiny black car. Kevin ask to look at it, after I cleaned them off. He looked at it, and commented how nice and shiny it was. Together we wrapped the shoe box and packed it up. He never again said he wanted that car for himself, but that he was sure the little boy would "really like that punch buggy car."
I spent time with the other 3 of my children as we wrapped and packed the shoe boxes. The 4 boxes we put together as a family for Operation Christmas Child were picked up today. The kids and I were very happy about the contents of those boxes and to know that somewhere out there, a total of 8 children will feel blessed at Christmas!!!
Yes, a total of 8 children, as I am sure my children will share in the joy of that unknown child who opens the simple shoe box they packed!!
Contently,
Jane |
