Yesterday was my son turned 9 years old. He's going to have his birthday party this Saturday but we took him out last night for his birthday dinner (he chose Red Lobster). He had been dying to see what we had bought him for his birthday and begged (with those big Puss N Boots eyes) to open "just one" present yesterday morning. So I told him he could open mine (it was a Leggo version of Hogwart's castle from Harry Potter).
He had to wait until that evening to open his sister's present and Nina's present so we decided to let him open them at the restaurant. He had already figured out what Jennie bought (Bionicles) but he was totally stumped about Nina's present. He tore it open with loud rips and tears. His eyes bugged out and his jaw dropped when he saw it was a Game Cube. Then he started shrieking (he had been asking for one for months but we'd say no). People around us turned to look, but I thought it was funny.
As soon as we got home, I hooked it up and he very happily played the game Nina had purchased along with the Game Cube. There is nothing quite like seeing the perfect delight and sheer joy of the perfect present.
When we were Witnesses, this moment would have been denied to us. But now the look on his face is a treasured memory I'll carry into old age.
Sometimes life is good.
Chris