Tiny treasures make the miles melt away

When you get to be my age, birthdays no longer create the kind of excitement they once did. No, it's not my birthday and you didn't miss out on sending me a card. There's plenty of time for that and, of course, I'd appreciate any correspondence when the time's right. However, our big girl turned seven last week (can you believe that?), proving the theory that time flies when you're having fun and you're a harried parent besides. She was excited, of course, and understandably so. There was the promise of a party, cake, presents and good fun that works wonders on a young person's energy level.

To say she was a little hyper heading in would understate the case. But as we gathered Saturday to watch her open some gifts, it struck me that even though there were only a few people with her, the room was full.

That doesn't make any sense on the surface, but the fact is there was a host of people assembled although there were only five people in the room.

Parcels came from Nanny and Auntie Pat in Ontario. Auntie Sue sent a package as well and there were best wishes from Opa and Oma in Shubenacadie along with phone messages from sundry other relatives - cousins and aunts - and tiny treasures from the good folks and dear friends in our neighbourhood, too. Each card or gift or kind thought carried with it the warm wishes of that particular person and I could see in her face as the wrapping fell away and the present emerged she was feeling the love and affection of that individual. Gasps and squeals of delight were punctuated by exclamations of, "Oh! Look what Nanny sent!" or, "Sweeeet! I've been wanting that for soooo long!" No shortage of drama, either, I can tell you.

But she thanked people sincerely, too, without hesitation, even though they were miles away. To her reckoning, they were as proximate as anyone else, and that really struck a chord in me.

I've lived away from my mom and siblings so long now that every time I get a letter, e-mail or phone call it's like having them walk right into the room with me. When you're here and they're elsewhere, it's the best any of us can do to stay connected and in touch. For me, it's part of life.

For my daughter, however, it's a lesson learned and one she seems to have picked up without any difficulty. As her eyes lit up with each card and gift, I could see my mom's (or her aunts', uncles' or cousins') reflection there and it made me feel good to know they were in the room as surely as I was.

That's the enduring power of family and friends. Distance may preclude the face time necessary to experience the day-to-day nuance of their lives, but a few words or a small gift can bring them as close as our imaginations and hearts will allow.

I was reminded of that Saturday afternoon and it rekindled a sense of the excitement for birthdays we shared so long ago. We can't relive our youth through our kids and I'm not sure we should even try, but every now and then they remind us of what's important and why we should pay attention to their unique way of looking at the world.