I paused and looked at his uncharacteristically shy grin. We had been talking about simplifying the holidays and the meaning of it all and I had thought he had gotten it. But here he was about to tell me about the latest toy or gadget or Lego kit or whatever that he was coveting. So I braced myself.
"What do you really want?
"A vaccuum cleaner."
"A what?"
"A vacuum cleaner!"
This was not what I was expecting. "Why do you want a vacuum cleaner?"
"Well, Daddy has one. If you bought me a vacuum cleaner, I could help you around the house, too."
I couldn't believe my ears, but his sparkling eyes confirmed his sincerity. So what could I do? I bought him a little vacuum cleaner.
When the Eureka Boss Lite was unveiled on Christmas morning, he whooped and hollered, "Oh boy, Mom, this is the best Christmas gift I have ever received!" Ever since then, he's been our Vacuum Cleaner Guy.
Two years later, Jonathan still loves to rev up his electric broom and whisk away crumbs on the kitchen floor after lunch. You have to see the look of delight on his face as he dashes around the house. What he lacks in technique he sure makes up in enthusiasm.
It's not the clean floor that warms my heart (though I do appreciate it); it's that when I see him vacuuming I see a little boy wanting to emulate his Dad. A Dad who is always cheerfully vacuuming or working hard around the home, even after a long day on the job. When I see Jonathan, I see a Small Version of Alan. And that makes me smile.
I'll be the first to admit that we do need to work on other areas of neatness and tidiness. All five of us tend to be magnetic to clutter. But vacuuming is a start. Someday, Jonathan's future wife may thank me for raising a son who is not afraid to wield a vacuum cleaner. I'll have to confess to her that it wasn't my idea; he came up with it on his own.
Watching Jonathan at work one day gave me an idea.
"Jonathan, you are a great Vacuum Cleaner Guy! You know what? This is nothing! When you get older, you'll be able to do even more cool things."
"Really, Mom? Like what?"
"Well, if you're really, really good...one day I may even teach you how to clean the bathrooms!"
"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men..." Colossians 3:23
My hubby would love a son who loved to vacuum...since his wife is none too movitated to preform this chore.
ReplyDeletePerhaps Katie will take it up for me.
Linda, Jonathon is not alone. A friend of mine has a 12yo son who absolutely loves to vacuum. He is such a help to her. I wish I could get the men in my house to vacuum!
ReplyDeleteThat is PRECIOUS. My 14 month old follows me around as I vacuum and will lay down on the floor by it . . . maybe there is hope for me, too. :-)
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteMe and my son Jonathan both got a kick out of this post. We have a Shark cordless sweeper and my Jonathan has the job of "sweeping" the kitchen after lunch too. How funny!
Blessings.
small world, our world . . . i scrolled down a few posts after this recent one of yours, and saw a familiar looking face, then looked for a name - sure enough it was Greg Laurie . . . my husband and i have been thoroughly enjoying his book Breakfast with Jesus (we have our devotions together and this is our book selection!) . . . it has blessed our hearts .. . it was just cute to see his face on your post . . .
ReplyDeleteblessings on your day . . . saija from Canada
Saija, I'm so glad to hear that you're enjoying one of Pastor Greg's books. I would read Breakfast with Jesus except that I gave away my last copy. (Note to self: get another copy.) If you enjoy that book, you may enjoy his new full-length devotional which was just released: For Every Season. :-)
ReplyDeleteMeredith, that is too funny!
ReplyDeleteOh Suzanne, don't feel bad. Storage is an issue here, too. Alan has been eyeing a HUGE Craftsman tool chest complete with real tools for the boys (they just came out with a kids' line), and I have been wondering where we would store it in the garage. Time for another decluttering session.
ReplyDeleteIt's not too late--there are five more shopping days left! ;-)