From Riches to Rags, and the Glory I Found There

Look at this lovely box full of children's goodies. This box seems to be full of hopes and dreams...and we are giving them away.  See that advent calendar? I bought it 6 years ago. I dreamed about setting it up with little ones running around acting crazy, hopped up on candy canes and egg nog. I dreamed about telling them the Christmas story and marking off days and celebrating Christ's birth with them. And now, we are giving it away. See that manger scene? I bought it 5 years ago. I dreamed of children growing up knowing abut their big brother, Kimber, and decorating his memorial garden. I dreamed of stories about Heaven and uncomfortable questions about death that both hurt and heal.  And now, we are giving it away. See that puzzle? I bought it 4 years ago. I dreamed of new traditions, of babies draped across bouncing knees, and of silly fights over missing pieces.  And now, we are giving it away. See those socks? I bought them 3 ...