Comments on: Big Things

By: Sarah@Clover Lane

Sarah@Clover Lane — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:27:19 +0000

I’ve read the whole series tens of times as a girl, and that scene is the one that will stand with me the most. The simplicity, the kindness, the gratitude…I think of it every Christmas.

By: April

April — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:39:12 +0000

We’ve read all of these books too. It’s also a great illustration of how parenting has changed,but perhaps shouldn’t have, over the years. These books are powerful and sweet with the real things that matter plainly written for all children to understand. Any 7-12 year old can relate to the beauty and simplicity. When our children want “too much” that is generally the fault of the parents and, of course, commercialism that they are exposed to (also because the parents allow it). I know myself that usually when we give we have great intentions of the happiness it will bring, but that happiness is fleeting. I like to look back over my life and see what has meant the most to me. It has always been the time my family spent together NEVER the money we were able to spend. I thank you for molding another little boy into someone who will be conscious, kind, and practice good stewardship in this world…I hope my daughter’s will be lucky enough to find one like him!

By: mutating missionary

mutating missionary — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:39:17 +0000

ps – as a second grade teacher I read Little House on the Prairie to my students. Many came back over the years saying this book impacted them more than they could have imagined.

By: mutating missionary

mutating missionary — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:37:10 +0000

my daddy was a triple degreed engineer. He died building (as the Project Engineer) the largest natural gas refinery in the world (in Saudia Arabia). We were never aware that we were ‘rich’! We lived in modest homes, celebrated modest Christmas’, drove a modest family vehicle. But, my dad always said, “It is harder for me NOT to give to you than it would be for me to give to you.” He fought with himself over our ‘modest’ living. As I said, we did not know we were wealthy. My dad died when I was 22. I am 53. My mom has never lived a day in financial distress and has not had to work. She still lives modestly – losing most of it in the plunge in the past few years, but still able to live at 81 volunteering and comfortable. But, I wonder… I really wonder… would I have been able to leave America and become a missionary at the age of 45 had my dad given me all that he COULD have given me? And then I think of Our Sweet LORD… where would I be if HE gave me everything that I had wanted over the years? Who would I be? ???? Proud of you.

By: Nancy from Illinois

Nancy from Illinois — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:48:44 +0000

This is beautiful as well as timely. Blessings, AM!!
Nancy
p.s.- (I remember my mom telling stories about each child getting an orange and a few hard candies after the church Christmas program. She said no one ever had oranges at that time, they were just too expensive. This was a treasured gift, and she would eat it slowly, savoring each bite over the course of several days. This was in the late 1930′s, not that long ago!)

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:44:45 +0000

That is by far my favorite story out of the Little House books. Bless you for reminding me.

I’ve decided that my ‘big’ present to my daughter this year will be a journal I’ve started for her. She will hate it on the surface, but love it secretly.

By: Dee/reddirtramblings

Dee/reddirtramblings — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:37:52 +0000

That scene always makes me cry. When Meg was little, we read the stories and went to Laura Ingalls’s house in Missouri. It’s the one her husband built when they married. We read some of Farmer Boy while we were driving, and it made us all grateful. Happy Thanksgiving. May we all be grateful for what we have.~~Dee

By: Minnesotamom

Minnesotamom — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:40:18 +0000

We have been intentional about giving Anja next to nothing from ourselves for holidays, since her grandparents (my mother in particular) seem to find it necessary to spoil her. Also, we took time this year to list 5 words we want to describe our Christmas season. Funny, “commercialized” and “high-maintenance” weren’t on the list. We made a list of activities we’d like to do as a family that fit into our description, and I think, if we can be diligent about protecting our time (and not over-committing to parties and the like), we will have one of the best Christmases we’ve ever had!

By: Lori

Lori — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 01:17:11 +0000

So beautifully written!

There won’t be much under our tree this year as my husband has been out of work for almost 9 months and my sad little seasonal job at James Avery barely pays for any ONE bill that we have for the month. (Not complaining…I’m thankful for my job that keeps my mind off of the situation for a few hours each week). Both of our boys have been told that Christmas will be sparse this year. Thankfully at 15 and 17 they understand and are grateful for the abundance we are continually blessed with.

When my older son was 5, we read, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” together and then went to see it at Dallas Children’s theater. It made for a wonderful discussion about the meaning of Christmas and loving others. You are making such great MEANINGFUL memories with Sean. How wonderful.

By: mythoughtsonthat

mythoughtsonthat — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 04:05:57 +0000

My boy is 9 and this year, he was really interested in Black Friday. I would NEVER be a part of Black Friday and this year, he had lots of questions. I told him that I don’t like to make a big deal out of Christmas (although he’s received some nice gifts over his years), that I’d rather spend small amounts of money on him throughout the year, doing fun activities together. He said he was going to ask for a drum set and I said simply, this Christmas is going to be small, smaller can be better, save the drum set for another time. And he accepted that. Times are tough here and everywhere. Less CAN be more. Peace.