It was a random day in August and my day to pick up Lucas from daycare. When I arrived, the kids were all outside on the playground. As Lucas and I turned to leave, one of his friends, Alex ran over to Lucas to gave him a hug, and a rock from the ground as a parting gift. Lucas held that rock the whole way home, and then he left it in the cup holder of his car seat for safe keeping.

It was a cute moment, but one that a parent can easily shrug off. But Lucas didn’t.

He loved that rock, and looked for it every time he got in the car. He would panic if he lost it on the floor. He’s held on to it all these months.

What was it about that rock that he loved so much? I don’t know for sure, because four year olds aren’t rational. It’s something so simple and small yet it’s something he treasures because Alex gave it to him.

The lesson I saw in all of this was to truly treasure the small things. Sometimes the gifts we get aren’t what we thought they would be. Every hug and smile is a gift. Sometimes all it takes is a rock to make someones day.

Merry Christmas friends, here’s hoping you get your tiny rock this year.

~ Erin