Easily Shattered, but Never Broken
She wears her heart in her front pocket. She likes to keep it handy in case she meets someone she thinks deserves it.
Nana is one of those special people who can hold Alexis' heart. To say it's a case of absolute adoration would be an understatement. That's why it came as no surprise when she asked to buy a special gift just for her Nana and just from her.
I steered her towards a jewelry counter and found a few things that were within her budget. She pondered, she thought, she considered, and then she set her sights on something in the case that I hadn't noticed--a sterling silver heart-shaped pendant with a pink crystal in the middle. I spotted her a few extra dollars so that she could make her big Christmas purchase.
She dutifully helped me wrap the gift she had carefully selected, steering me towards the perfect wrapping paper, the perfect ribbon, and the perfect name tag. She carefully signed her own name in the "From" space and eagerly awaited the gifting hour.
As soon as we stepped foot in Nana's house, Alexis ran to the pile of gifts to find that something special. Her eyes were glowing as we carefully explained that we wouldn't be opening gifts until the next day. "Ooooo-kay," she sighed.
The next day, she again ran over to the pile of presents and found that something special. She picked it up, her smile radiating the warmth of a million lightbulbs, and rushed to find her Nana in the kitchen.
Nana was elbow-deep in dead animal guts. As the resident vegetarian, I'm not entirely sure what it was, I just know it wasn't a prime moment for unwrapping a gift. Nana told the child as much. As the anticipation changed to disappointment, you could see the joy falling from Alexis' face.
Dejected and hurt, Alexis came running back to me. "I want to leave," she sobbed. It took over ten minutes to help the tender-hearted three-year old pick up the pieces of her broken heart and put them back in her pocket.
She wears her heart in her front pocket. Sometimes I wish she hadn't gotten that part of my DNA.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Reader Comments (30)
That is awesome. *sniff*
her heart may well be in her front pocket, but its an awful big heart:)
@Anonymous--That it is. Most definitely.
Such a sweet heart, and sweetheart. Love that photo though, priceless.
That is so flipping sweet. Great shot of two great girls.
She looks so happy to be giving that gift. My favorite part of the holidays is finding that perfect gift to GIVE. Glad Alexis feels the same way! She's precious!
That is so sweet and precious. :)
There's some deep love, pride, and treasuring going on int that beautiful photo.
What a great gift. I wear my heart on my sleeve so I know how she feels. You are teaching her such aweesome lessons.
A true representation of what Christmas is all about - giving. That she was so excited to give her special gift is so touching, and that photo of her says it all - priceless. She is a true sweetheart!
Ooooh! What an awesome shot! And I see she's no worse for the disappointment of having to wait for that kodak moment either! TOo sweet for words!
Aww that just breaks your heart when your child is sad :( hate it when that happens. Did Nana like her gift in the end? Love the proud look on her face!
From the picture, it looks like it all worked out in the end. She's so precious.
Awww.....how sweet.
:)
awe! That is so sweet that giving a gift meant so much to her! What a gem she is...
Awww! How sweet that she is that excited about GIVING a gift at such a young age! I hope her grandma wears that wonderful heart proudly.
It's tough when you have a kid (or are a person) who wears their heart on their sleeve. But also it can be so wonderful.
That picture is perfect. She obviously got to give the present at the right time and they both seem very happy.
aw. what a sweet story. it made me cry a little bit
I know Nana witll treasure that gift for the rest of her life. Sweet story.
Awww, how sweet!! What a wonderful post, tears in my eyes. I love it when they have someone so special in their life! Brandon was like that with his papa!!
So alike sometime, those two of ours. LB? Doesn't care. What a weirdo.
The picture is priceless. Great capture.
Miss A does have a tender heart. Looks like thing turned out okay after all... Merry (late) Christmas!
AWWWWW
I love your big-hearted kid.
There are times that I wish more people were that tender hearted.
xoxo
I can sympathize with you on this one. That sounds exactly like something my mother would do.....if she ever made any effort to see her granddaughter. *Ahem*
Hopefully Alexis won't remember the initial rejection and will only take away the memory of what we see in that picture. But I know it leaves you bracing yourself for next time. I know....
I see that Nana helped to put the pieces of her little heart back together! So touching!
* lump in throat
I have a delicate flower too .
"there is no grandma that loves their grandaughter more than i do mine." i treasure her and i too wear my heart on my sleeve. i have cried many tears over hurtful things said or done but i keep it in my heart and i go on. just to set the story straight for no princess i did not nor would i ever reject my little angel. you can't and you shouldn't compare me to whatever grandparent situation is in your childs life. you don't know me nor do you know what alexis and i have. there is a love i have for her no one can describe or take away. she is my angel, my only grandaughter. she has my heart totally. her gift will be treasured in my heart forever. i wear it with love and a big lump in my throat. i hold it and touch it while it is on my neck and the tears of joy at the thought that she loved me enough to want to do this just for me is precious and i will tresure this necklace forever. it was unfortunate that i was deep in sirloin tip juice and meat all over my hands when she came to me. she sings a song and it would describe her to a tee. you are the music alexis, you are the music in me!!! you are in my heart and your necklace is just another symbolicness of what we have. i could not of asked for a better gift that what you gave to me. nana is so sorry that mister sirloin was in our way. but only for a moment. we had our time and we connect with our hearts and our souls, we share a compassion for each other and it renews and strengthens each time we are able to be togehter. if you don't know what we have and you can't see it when our eyes meet and our souls connect with each other then you have never experience the love, the pride an the joy i have for my grandaughter. it is pricesless!!! thank you mommy for capturing one of the most precious monments for me in a christmas moment. i will treasure my gift and my little angel for as long as i live. love you always alexis, nana
p.s. next year we will make the men do the work so you and i can be free to bond!!!
Nana- You are right. I don't know you and I shouldn't have judged. I was wrong to automatically equate you to my mother, who has issues with connecting with her grandchildren. I apologize. I certainly didn't mean to stir up trouble within your family. Again, I'm sorry.
it is alright. i love my baby girl she is my little angel. she has my heart. i would never intentionally hurt alexis in anyway. the preparing of the roast and it juices all over my hands just did not cordinate with the opening of a beautiful christmas box from my baby girl. however we got thru the mess and she made her way back to me and we bonded and shared her gift. all is well, take care
i'm crying here...
Yeah, but that's the kind of girl who's going to think of something like giving Christmas Crazy when she grows up.
So sweet - especially letting the picture tell the rest of the story.
Hope you enjoyed your holidays - I am getting caught up...*again*!