Hawaiian Girl and Luke Skywalker

Here they are --- my lovely hula-dancing Hawaiian girl and my valiant Star Wars Jedi, Luke Skywalker (from Episode VI, to be exact!). In this photo, Luke Skywalker is exhibiting his Jedi powers by 'using the force' to make Hawaiian girl move against her will. This required some great acting on the part of Hawaiian girl. :-)

Rewind to last night at around bedtime --- 8:30pm. Luke Skywalker so nicely informed me that it would be really cool if his costume came with a black hooded cape as that's how Luke Skywalker dressed like in Star Wars Episode VI. Hmmmm...I had a moment of thought right then and there. Do I want to give up my relaxing evening (for once, I was caught up with work) or do I want to spend all night sewing a black hooded cape?!? The answer came very easily. Of course, I would love to complete my son's Halloween costume for him! The look on his face as he laid down to sleep, knowing I was going to work on his cape, was just priceless. I wish I took a photo of that face --- it was a look that said: "I feel significant!".

I quickly sent hubby to Wal-Mart to purchase 2 metres of black fabric. He came home and I sat down and started to sew. Two hours later, the black hooded cape was a reality. Yay! Seriously though, I commented to hubby that it takes soooo little to make a child feel significant. It's just a matter of choice for us parents whether to put in that extra little effort or not.

To be quite honest, I don't know if my answer would have been the same if something I read just yesterday afternoon wasn't still so fresh on my mind. I am currently reading another one of Tim Kimmel's books, Raising Kids Who Turn Out Right. This is what I read:

"A legacy of love requires a commitment of time, a willingness to work unrewarded, and a readiness to sacrifice personal agendas for the ultimate good of people who may not always acknowledge our efforts.

The natural resources of the world are napping in a crib down the hall and hanging off the top bar of the swing set in the backyard. They're in the kitchen leaving the lid off of the peanut butter jar and in the back bedroom playing the stereo too loudly. If you're a parent, you're in the process of mining and refining. Sure, you've got your own needs for security, significance, and strength, but you must be careful not to meet yours at the expense of theirs."

I am very thankful for these words of wisdom. If it wasn't for them, I would have surely thought that I'd deserved a night of watching TV and sipping tea after a hectic day. Surely, my son would be more-than-OK with a pair of black pants, a black turtleneck and a light-saber as his costume. He doesn't really need a black hooded cape as well, does he?

I am very thankful for these words of wisdom. Because of them, I was able to see the significance in taking the time to make this cape for my son. When he woke up this morning and saw the cape hanging on the hook in his bedroom, he quickly tried it on and came into my bedroom to model it for me. The look on his face was even more priceless than the night before! I tell you --- it truly made my day! :-)

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." - Colossians 3:17 NIV