giving

Spring break has been in full swing around here, along with copious quantities of pollen.  I have been trying to let Peanut enjoy his days off to the fullest knowing that with the end of his break comes crunch time before end-of-grade testing (EOG’s).

However, we were cleaning up his room and I ran across his iPod shuffle. My little geek has moved up to the iPod touch courtesy of Santa Claus, but still held on to his little blue 1gb toy that he bought himself with the allowance money he had saved.  It was nice for him to reminisce over, in his words, “obsolete” technology. Have I ever mentioned that he is a 60 year old man trapped in the body of a 9 year old?

What did he do with his little shuffle? Instead of keeping his first little geeky purchase, he decided to give it to a family friend. She is just realizing her electronics curiosity, however due to a very serious year long illness has not worked and money is tight. My husband and I had discussed purchasing her an iPod, but he said “Mom, let’s give this to KT. She could use it and it would make her happy to have it while exercising”.

Go ahead, let you heart melt just a little more.  The only thing I could think was “what a freaking precious kid I have” and “holy shit, I have done a good job as a parent”. It was a moment all parents wish to have. Eye-opening, awe-inspiring and soul fulfilling.  My little man showed me depth, compassion and giving that is beyond his years and will help shape him, as well as me, for years to come. He reminded me that it’s the little things that count and that while many would keep their “stuff”, he freely gave his.

How did KT react? Same way I did, with tears. It’s been a long trying year for her and it made her week. While she isn’t a mother, she has plans to be and gave me the highest compliment I have ever had. “I hope one day my kids can be as giving as Peanut”.

For Peanut? He was cool and collected. He didn’t want thanks, only to see joy.

Just as it should be.