What I Learned

A bouncing Boy bird greeted me at the door when I went to his Nest to pick him up. He RAN to the Mommymobile, chanting the name of his MALL, lest I forget and take him someplace BORING (like a yarn store, teehee)to do his holiday shopping. It was already starting to rain fairly steadily, and downpours with patchy fog had been predicted. I turned on the radio and he insisted on the all Christmas music all the time station....sigh. I sang along with Bing and Elvis and of COURSE, The Chipmunks as we made our way to the Interstate. It was crawling along, but moving at least. This stretch of road is Notorious (right maggi?) for accidents. A little weather of any kind and it is usually a Parking Lot. Not quite the Long Island Expressway, but close. Sure enough, a couple of Really Awful Accidents...the kind where you say a prayer that people SURVIVED. Eeeeek.
After an hour an a half of traffic, we finally arrived at the Mall. The parking lots were Full, and I dreaded the slog through the deepening puddles. Boy bird's parking karma kicked in and we got a spot right in front. I mean Right In Front. 20 feet from the Entrance B. We have to go in Entrance B. It is part of the routine. Boy bird jumps out of the truck and points. *Entrance BEEEEE* he shouts. He is grinning happily. I ask him if he has his money. *POCKET* he says, patting it.
He holds the door open for me (such a good boy, kvell) and we go through the narrow hallway and
THEN...he stops as we get to the part where the narrow space opens up onto a four story extravaganza of MALL. *BEAUTIFUL* he says. There are these ginormous BELLS that hang down from the roof (one year we got there really early on the morning they were hanging them up with the CRANE. It was Amazing.) and garlands a mile long. Huge trees are decorated in the central atrium, surrounded by glass elevators and criss crossing escalators. I myself prefer the smell of a Pine Grove and some rel snow, but hey, this is HIS trip!
A huge security guard approaches us and breaks into a grin. "Hey, Buddy" he booms "Merry Christmas! You been good?" *GOOD* says the boy, and they shake hands.
We make the rounds. We see the cookie lady and her helpers...and of course get warm from the oven chocolate chip cookies. They ask him about his house, his job, how he IS....*HAPPY* says he. The information ladies, the gift wrapping volunteers, the regulars at the Food Court.
We pass the long line to see Santa. You get a pager and go shopping and they buzz you when you only have five minutes to wait. Santa waves. We wave back. The elves who are taking the fearful toddlers picture wave, too.
We're only on the first floor.
We ride the escalators up and around to visit all of our *friends*. He looks in the store windows, deciding where (not) to spend his ten dollars.
We have a lovely dinner at Chik-fil-a (complete with Waffle Fries for him and a lemonade for me) cruise the Video Arcade, and head back down the escalators. I try to prompt him to pick out his gifts as it is getting dark and raining harder. He is on a mission, apparently, and I am clueless.
We have circumnavigated the entire Mall and he doesn't have a single purchase. I am starting to be VERY curious about his strategy. Is he hoping for a second trip?
At the last minute before the exit, he starts running. I have to really hustle to keep up with him, and say a little prayer of Thanksgiving that we KNOW the security folks here. He rounds the corner and scoots out a side door. I am right behind him. He steps out onto the slick sidewalk and into the pouring rain. He lunges into an overhang and takes out his money. Puts it into the bucket and extends his hand. The Salvation Army guy gives him the BELL, which he happily rings for a full minute. *Merry Christmas!* he yells at the passersby...
He gives the bell back and is ready to leave.
We buckle up, and pull out into the driving rain.
What do YOU think I learned?

Comments

[Gina]

Wow, Greta. How I wish I could've been there. What an amazing Boy Bird you have! Merry Merry to you and yours!

[caroline]

Joy, Greta. It was another installment in the giant life book of JOY. You and Boy Bird have completely, utterly made my day, my Christmas...
Love you, dear. All best wishes for the holidays to you and your big, grownup Birds...

[Nathania]

I am sitting her just *sobbing*. I feel like my heart could just burst out of my chest. What remarkable people your children are. Throw away the labels. Forget diagnoses. They're real, present, honest, caring, intelligent, compassionate people. I feel blessed to know them through you, the most remarkable Mommy bird I know.

[Tricia]

Thank you for taking the time to share... your words inspire

[Jane]

You have the best adventures!

[Bonny]

Well, I've lurked long enough, and after today's entry, I really need to say thank you - for your writing, your sharing, your outlook & your wonderful and amazing children. I'm sitting here misty-eyed, and I'll be thinking about this blog entry for a long time to come. Please tell Boy Bird that he (along with you) have given many of us a wonderful, priceless gift!

[sarah b.]

You really should write a book about your birds. For now, I'll settle for your tales on the blog. :-) They are truly inspirational individuals who speak volumes through their actions of love and generosity.

[Sharlene]

What a lovely *shopping* trip! :)

[Lauren]

What a wonderful story, thank you for sharing it.

[Laurie]

I'm a little behind on my blog reading (okay, a LOT behind, in everything) so I popped over here and, lo and behold, you've blogged up a storm.

Lovely posts, and each one lovelier than the last.

[Mj]

well m'darlin I don't know what you learned but I learned that you have amazing children that continue to touch my heart though I've not met them (ah...nor you for that matter!)You are a good Mom and that is reflected so clearly in your family. xomj

[Melissa]

Boy bird could teach us all lessons about Christmas, couldn't he. You've raised such wonderful children.

[Rani]

I'm a fairly new reader to your blog. But I come here everyday in search of wonderful stories of your little birds. This takes the cake! What a terrific boy you have. Merry Christmas!

[Bobbie]

you felt so proud, and in awe of true unselfishness. i come here everyday to see your stories of the birds, they warm my heart and give me hope for my own son. They are both gifted with pureness of heart and if i could only be half as gifted i would be a happy woman. Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you all, I think you all have more riches than gold, so i send you wishes of health.

[alison]

Greta, that is just such an awesome story! Merry Christmas, Boy Bird and Bird Mommy!

[Lori]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful story with all of us...what a blessing it was to read it and be warmly reminded in such a beautifully simple way what the essence of giving really is.
Awesome.
The best of holidays to you and your incredible children!

[Rachel]

This is such a great story. It needs to go on the salvation army's website!