“While they are at your side, love these little ones to the uttermost. Forget yourself. Serve them; care for them; lavish all your tenderness on them ....Love them and win their love, and shower on them all the treasures of your heart. Fill up their days with happiness, and share with them their mirth and innocent delights. Childhood is but for a day. Ere you are aware it will be gone with all its gifts for ever.” ~George Townshend
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Ayyam-i-Ha
As much as Ayyam-i-Ha is about service, hospitality and preparation for fasting- as far as the children are concerned it is really all about the presents. They wait all year for this and are so excited when Ayyam-i-Ha finally rolls around again. This year, I will confess, that nearly all of their presents came from the markets. Oh, the markets. Who cares about packaging? They're only after the stuff inside and the kids were thrilled with what they each received. Each morning they received something new. Sometimes it was individual, sometimes it was for sharing. Like today they got a mini tea set which was put to immediate use with an impromptu tea / story party.
There were paint sets and board games,
digital cameras,
musical instruments, marble mazes
tutus and treasure boxes
and three very enthusiastic children who love the gifts and are beginning to think beyond themselves and give thoughtful gifts to others. They made vouchers for Mehran which are redeemable for a few of the things that he values most.
But mostly it's still about the presents...
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2 comments:
You are so right about it being about what is inside. The wrapping can be fun but it isn't what matters. It's about the enthusiam for exploring what is hidden within and the delighted smiles in discovery. It's fun to see all the reactions.
The vouchers are a really thoughtful kind of present. I hope it works for all concerned.
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