Our youngest son Jase celebrated his eighth birthday over the weekend with a simple party surrounding by his family. And although it was not a huge party with hundreds of balloons and dozens of children running around, Jase said it was “the best birthday ever.”
The severe weather and a hectic work schedule the week before prevented my husband Jason and I from preparing a big party for Jase. I was so worried that I was going to let Jase down by putting together a simple party. But his kind heart reminded me that sometimes it is about the people around you.
Jase did not care that his friends and classmates weren’t there. He was just as excited with his presents he received versus a table full of other gifts. And the time we spent with him on his special day was what mattered to him the most. What a lesson I learned from my youngest son.
With the perfect spring weather, we grilled hamburgers in the back yard and was able to throw a few baseballs with Jase. His family and grandparents cheered him on as he blew his candles out on his cake. He ended the day runninng in the woods with Jason, and I was able to play a few games of checkers with him after supper. He was even able to get an extra scoop of ice cream before bed.
Kissing him on the cheek after he brushed his teeth for bed, he gave me a giant hug and told me “it was the best day ever.”
The day will come when Jase has own social life. The quick kisses on the cheek for Momma in the school drop-off line will cease. And those quick seats in my lap to watch a movie will soon be over. But for now, I intend to soak up all those small moments that are really the big moments in his young life.
That simple birthday party last Saturday reminded me that it is the moments, not the materials, that matter the most. And it took an eight-year-old to remind me.
Jase went to school Monday, eager to tell his friends about his birthday party. And when I saw him later that afternoon, he told me he was still on cloud nine from his small celebration.
Memories were made, and they were made because the moment was perfect. The moment was the best gift.
