I have a broken sugar bowl. My caffeine-deprived fingers fumbled its lid one morning as I was getting my coffee. My oldest son was nearby and said, "Don't worry mommy. You can get a new one."
Simple words that were meant to comfort me. Instead, they broke my heart.
My kids don't have a spirit of thankfulness. Things like toys, games, books and clothes come easily for them. They have generous grandparents, aunts and uncles. And they have a mom who is an uber-bargain-shopper. This has all lead to too much stuff. And not enough gratitude. When something breaks, we just get a new one. I decided that moment would be a teaching moment. We talked about being grateful for what we have and caring for our things because sometimes, when something breaks, it can't be replaced. Sometimes we fix what's been broken and sometimes we make due (do?) without.
And so we carefully pieced back together the lid of my sugar bowl. We found each little sliver of ceramic and super-glued it in place. Nearly 2 years later, I still have my broken sugar bowl. I could run to Target and buy a new one for $6. I could probably find a nearly new one at Goodwill for $1. But the lesson that is remembered every single time we use that sugar bowl is worth more than a new one.
We still have too much stuff and not enough gratitude. We also have a bunch of friends who probably wonder why I have a busted sugar bowl. But now we also have a reminder. Even if it's only me that gets the reminding.
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The above is thanks to: A Soft Place to Land http://asoftplacetoland-kimba.blogspot.com/2009/11/broken-sugar-bowl.html
2 comments:
It is a cold, wet, dreary morning and I just don't want to work! What better way is there to spend my time than finding great blogs like yours. Thank you for sharing such a lovely story.
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