What’s In A Box?

Every year, since all five of my children were wee ones, my husband goes out a few days before Christmas and creates for each of them their very own “food box.”

Food box, you query? What is a food box and, more to the point, why a food box?

Wellllll, there are five of them. Five beautiful, wonderful, hungry little souls. When you’re one of five — and I was one of six, so I totally get this — it’s first come, first served. You snooze, you lose. Get while the gettin’s good.

All this to say: more often than not, the snack you wanted was gone before you had a chance to nab it. Thus, a food box. A food box in which all your favorites snacks are packed and – drumroll please – you do not have to share any of them with anyone.

This, folks, was a big deal in our house. I ran a tight ship and sharing was a nonnegotiable. “Share or Mom’s taking it and then no one gets it.” I’m not advocating this parental advice, but it is how I rolled back then. To this day, my children are very generous with their resources, both with each other and outside of our little tribe. Maybe it was my parenting or maybe it was a whole lot of grace. Likely, a sprinkle of me and a heap of Goodness.

My children are now grown, Son1 is 31 now (how did that happen?) and my youngest, Daughter, is 21. This past week, I got to pondering the whole food box thing. Maybe this year, we’d skip it. They live in their own homes now. No one to share with, no need to have your own stash…. and yet:

“Mom, be sure to tell Dad to pack plenty of jerky in the food box… and remember that Brother4 is into that vegan protein drink so include some of that.” — Daughter

So, food boxes it is.

Is it the comfort of tradition? Is it that, though they are old enough to buy their own favorite foods and single enough not to have to share them, they still enjoy the warmth of waking up Christmas morning to Dad’s handiwork?

Or maybe, somehow deep inside their precious hearts, there’s a knowing that Dad and Mom look forward to preparing food boxes for them. That WE anticipate the tradition of it, that it helps us to remember when they were little and young and life was simple and predictable. The days may have been long, but oh the years have been short.

Life has changed in some ways. Their stash used to be mostly chocolate and soda and this year, it’s jerky and vegan protein. All five would play games til Mom and Dad went to bed – and then they’d creep down the stairs, check stockings and food boxes. Now, they drive in Christmas Day… check their stockings and food boxes.

Oh, if I’d have known all these years later how much pleasure hearing “about those food boxes, Mom” would bring me. And Husband.

Such wispy moments. Such great big joy.

What’s in a box? Chips, soda, pudding… jerky and vegan protein… and gobs and gobs of lovely memories.

Writing Every Day Down. 🙂

Hugs,

Lisa

P.S. Need someone to listen to you? to offer you some guidance and perspective? I am a Life Guide and PSH (Professional Space Holder) 😉 and am available for appointments.