I always get a complimentary set of tickets to the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Holiday Concert. This includes a pass to the "exclusive" reception before the concert. I usually have to beg my family to go with me. In years past I have found myself calling my friends at the last minute to see if they would like to go. This year, I decided that with everything else going on, I was not going to the concert. I got the tickets like always and put them aside. I casually mentioned that I had them, but I really didn't expect anyone to want to go. Becca said "Mom, I would love to go with you, if I could get a new dress". Being the mother that I am, and I don't always assume the best from my children, I thought, " I bet she just wants the dress". The week went on and I got busier and busier. By Thursday (the concert being on Friday), I was trying to persuade Becca NOT to go. It felt like I had so much to do and so little time to do it in. I told her I would buy her a dress anyway. She looked at me and said "Mom, I just want to spend time with YOU!". That hit me like a ton of bricks.
Friday afternoon, we went to Kohl's and found a dress that she adored. We went to "My Big Fat Greek Restaurant" for dinner (Becca loves Greek food). We went to the fancy reception and the concert. As we were waiting for the concert to begin, we were looking for my former students, in the program, who are now in the Youth Symphony. There were quite a few. Becca looked at me and said, "Mom, look what you have done.". Yeah, I was amazed that my sweet Becca could read my tired soul and soothe it with her words. I am amazed that I have raised such and amazing daughter. I am ashamed that I was too busy taking care of "things" and was missing what was really important. Thank goodness she was strong enough to say, "Mom stop.". I just want to spend time with you.
That good ole gift of time. It really is so much more than we think or even imagine. This holiday, that is what I want to give my family. More of the gift of time, from me to them.
