An updated revision of a Facebook note . . .
It was his birthday that morning. His blue eyes opened. He listened to the clamor downstairs and sighed. Slowly - very slowly - he sat up, then slid on his tummy out of bed, his little legs just a tad too short to quite reach the floor. He stood in the center of his room and passively glanced at the sunlight peeping through the blinds. He sighed again.
Downstairs, his parents were in a joyful tizzy, dashing here and there. They were putting the finishing touches on his cake, arranging the last present, trying to find batteries for the camera. From one end of the room to the other, the spacious ceiling was bedecked in dozens of brightly colored streamers.
The dining room tables and chairs had been arranged just so, ready to welcome at any moment the world's newest five year old. A massive, three layer cake sat on the middle of the table, adorned with red, green, and blue swags of icing. Presents had been stacked on one of the kitchen chairs, but had overflowed to the floor and were piling up under the table. It was every five year old's dream.
The dining room tables and chairs had been arranged just so, ready to welcome at any moment the world's newest five year old. A massive, three layer cake sat on the middle of the table, adorned with red, green, and blue swags of icing. Presents had been stacked on one of the kitchen chairs, but had overflowed to the floor and were piling up under the table. It was every five year old's dream.
His mom, rushing to clean up the last mixing bowl, glanced over her shoulder and giggled at the general splendor."Honey, don't you think this is a bit much? I mean, chocolate cake for breakfast?." Her husband emerged from under the table on all fours and with a boyish smile. He had given up trying to arrange the gifts."Nah. You only turn five once." She chuckled. "You realize we're going to have one wired five year old on our hands?" she said as she looked at the cake.
Again, a mischievous smile. He widened his eyes innocently."Really?"
At that moment, they heard the stairs creak. They turned and saw their little boy sitting complacently on the stairs, his hands on his cheeks, his elbows on his knees, watching them.
"Hi sweetie!" They rushed over and knelt by him. "Happy birthday, honey!" He gave them a lackadaisical hug. "Thanks, Mommy. Thanks, Daddy." His parents exchanged glances. Clearly he wasn't understanding that all of this was for him.
"Look, little man! Do you see that cake? Mommy made that for you because it's your birthday and your our baby boy! Do you want some?" The father leaned close to his boy and pointed at the cake on the far table. The little boys eyes glaced towards it, but didn't respond.
The mom gently took him by the hand and led him to the chair full of presents. She knelt until she was at eye level with him, then took one and shook it enticingly. "Look, baby." She said softly. "Daddy bought you all these presents." She held his eyes with her own. "Don't you want to know what's in them?"
"No."
"Why not, sweetie? They're yours."
He didn't answer but sat, in the midst of all the glory, and started eating crumbs from last night's dinner off the floor.
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Oh Christian, do not leave His grace behind.
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