I told him not to touch the Christmas ornaments. I warned him several times. These are special. These are fragile. They are a holiday legacy. I want my boys to enjoy the choo-choo train, Santa Fire Fighter and Elmo ornaments for years and years to come. I want my kids to show them to their own babies. They need to last.
We hung the shiny beauties on the tree just one day ago. There are sweet decorations stamped with "David 1977", there are the kitty cat ornaments David has purchased for me over the years. There are Zachary and Evan's ornaments, the ones that I have carefully picked out for my boys. Fragile, fun, sparkly, precious!
And broken. At least one of them. It happened this morning. The morning after we decorated the tree. Zachary was admiring and playing with the tree before breakfast and then I heard a little crack, and then "OH NO! SOMETHING HAPPENED!"
I didn't have to wonder what happened, I just had to wonder how bad was it? I ran downstairs to discover Zack standing over Pirate Santa Claus , 2010. Damn it. I was pissed. That was one of the expensive super pretty ornaments. It was Evan's. Zachary knew better. He did. Damn it. I let him know that I was upset. I glared at him. I yelled for his father to bring the broom. "Why?" I asked Zack. "Why?" "I told you not to touch the ornaments. Now you broke it! Forever!"
There were a few tears. (Zachary's.) Some angry stomping (also Zachary's.) Zachary yelled at me. "You hate me. You don't like me at all!" I answered between clenched teeth. "I do like you, but I DO NOT like your behavior! I am mad."
I went back upstairs to finish getting dressed. 10 minutes later it was too quite. Where was Zachary? It took a minute or two for us to find him, huddled in the basement, over construction paper, concentrating. He presented me with The Letter. The letter photographed above. It needs translation. This is the best that I can do.
Dear Mommy and Daddy,
I am sorry for touching the ornaments. I didn't mean to. I hope it is o.k. I feel bad for ??? I am really sorry. Love Zack.
Okay. Enough said. Tears. Love that kid.
Ohhhhh, that letter will be so much more precious than the ornament. So touching the little struggle that must have gone on in his little mind to get over the defensive anger he was feeling and write that letter. Very sweet
ReplyDeletegawd- why don't they listen?
ReplyDeleteToo sweet! I know the feeling there, without the redeeming sweet letter at the end :-)
ReplyDeletePoor little guy! Christmas tree ornaments are just too irresistible! We have a play-yard around our tree at the moment. It's probably gonna go up every year til the kids are a lot bigger. Keep the note, it's so sweet!
ReplyDeleteOh that is so sweet. Remorse is a good lesson....saying sorry is another....perhaps money well spent afterall?
ReplyDeletecutest letter ever. seriously.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the ornament but honestly this note is way sweeter than the ornament will ever be. Put a ribbon on it and hang that on the tree. It really is precious.
ReplyDelete