Bradley came across the playground wearing his coat and stocking cap. He also had a necklace made of noodles around his neck. He was spinning the noodle beads and I noticed his hands had blue smudges on them from the dye.
“Mom! I made this today in school.”
I told him how nice it was and that he did a good job. He was still messing with one flowered looking noodle. “But Chris (a boy in his class, name has been changed to protect the hungry), ate part of my noodle,” Bradley pointed out.
“It’s okay. I think it is a wonderful necklace.”
“I know, Mom. Chris also eats wood chicks (a.k.a. wood chips) off the playground though, Mom.”
I never know what to say about these stories. I always get a good laugh at the things he tells me…and I wonder how his teacher does it every day, she must have a wonderful sense of humor to be in a room of twenty something kindergartners all day. I’ve been there, it’s a blast, but I have always been exhausted by the end of the day.
“Well, hunny,” I explained to Bradley, “I think he is still learning that you don’t eat those things.”
He continued playing with his necklace and we headed for home.
When we got home he took off his necklace. “This is for you, Mom. Happy Thanksgiving!” He was so happy to give me the present. And every Mom loves a noodle necklace!
And Bradley must have been in the giving mood because he also gave Terri, who watches the babies all day, a picture he made of an owl and told her Happy Thanksgiving also. What a sweetie!
As I was tucking Bradley into bed that evening he asked, “Mom, where is your necklace?”
“I had to take it off because I’m getting ready to go to bed. I put it by my purse. I will put it on tomorrow. And you know what, I’m going to wear it ALL day tomorrow.” He started to smile and I continued…
“I’m going to wear it to work. And I know everybody at work is going to love my new necklace and they are going to ask, ‘Where did you get that awesome necklace?’ and I am going to say ‘My son, Bradley, made it for me.'” His smile was getting bigger and I continued…
“They are going to LOVE my necklace so much and say that I am the luckiest Mom in the world because you made me such a beautiful necklace.” His smile was so big and he was so proud of his present he gave me.
“I love you, Mom.” We said our good nights and I gave him hugs and kisses.
“See you in the morning.”
I was starting to turn off the light and walk out the door when he said, “Mom! Wait!”
“What?”
“When are we going to break bread?”
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
xxx
Amanda St.Clair 