It really is the little things

If you've been to my house, you know that I'm not good with seasonal decorating. Not that I don't WANT my house to look all festive, I just don't usually have the energy or creativity to pull it off. I keep telling myself "next year", but it has yet to happen.

Thus, I had no plans for a nice centerpiece or fancy place settings for our Thanksgiving dinner this year. It was just going to be us, and I didn't want to drop the money or exert the effort to find something worthy of being in the middle of the table. When the day arrived, I'd assumed the table would be bare.

At Anna's homeschool program earlier in the week though, she'd "woven" a placemat (blue and red construction paper). We happened to have some pumpkins in our cupboard from a co-op share someone had given me. And a random candle just sitting around the house. At the eleventh hour I figured a last-minute, makeshift centerpiece was maybe better than none at all--at least the kids would maybe like it, even if it did look funny.

I soon, however, discovered that Anna was SO PROUD of her placemat, and the centerpiece in general. Thrilled, really. The kids thought it was amazing. Which totally cracked me up.

Well, weeks later, Anna came home from the homeschool program and showed me a story she'd written in school that day. I believe the writing said, "The food was so good." Above that was her simple drawing of our Thanksgiving table. And in the center of the table: her placemat. And the assorted pumpkins, and the candle.

I share this silly little story because in my mind, a desirable centerpiece would have been something expensive and/or creative, that I wouldn't have let my kids touch. Instead, at the center of my table was something that ended up meaning a whole lot to my daughter. Maybe she'll always remember the year she made the centerpiece. I know that I, as her mommy, sure will. I'll also remember how we all went around the table sharing what we were thankful for, and my kids' answers included family, and grandparents, and Jesus.

Relationships and love and meaningful traditions are so much more important than material goods or status or...dare I say, Thanksgiving table decor. Thank goodness for our children and for the simple ways they teach us!