The Blessings Basket

J's school has been doing a project called the "Blessings Basket" this month. Each day they send the basket home with a different child to fill with various items for Make A Child Smile, a local organization that helps buy school supplies, Christmas presents, etc. for needy children in our area.

One night a week or so ago, Jaiden asked me before she fell asleep, "Mom, did you kow that some little kids don't even have warm boots to keep their feet warm when it snows?"

"Yes, sweetheart, I know. That's why I always tell you not to whine about what I want you to wear or eat, because a lot of kids don't have warm clothes or food."

"I'm going to get to bring home the blessing basket from school soon."

"I know, your teacher sent home a note about it. What are some of the things you would like to get for the blessing basket?"

"Some snow boots for the little kids that don't have any."

I pray she never loses that sincerity and that she always has a big heart. I am so thankful that her teachers and school are taking time to do this project and explain it to the students.

Yesterday when I picked her up, she had the basket in hand and was so excited that it was her turn. When Mario got home, we loaded back up...he dropped us off at the door so that she and I could do our shopping and he could sit with Bubby in the car.

She had a ball picking out stuff..."Mamma! Do you think they might like these headbands to keep the veins (she means bangs when she says this, but it is just too precious to correct!) out of their eyes?!"

I was trying to sneak in a package of much need razors for myself to save a trip to the store later, and she said, "Mamma! We are not here for you--we're here to get stuff for the little kids that need it!" She said it loud enough to make people turn around, and I couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed like people thought I was being terribly selfish.

When we got home, she packed everything into the basket and guarded it with her life until we made it to the school this morning. We didn't find any snow boots where we did our shopping but she did pick out an outfit to send. It was so sweet because she held it up to herself and asked,

"Do you think this would fit a little girl about my size?"

Oh how I love that sweet child! She may be filling a basket with blessings, but my heart overflows with gladness from the blessings of being her mother.

P.S. And for some reason unbeknownst to me, blogger will NOT publish my post with separate paragraphs...I am really annoyed because I like consistency, and now this post is not consistent with other posts that have double spacing between paragraphs. Ugh! If you have any ideas on how to fix this, let me know so I don't lose sleep over this! :)