Midnight Wonder Under the Tree

Last New Year's Eve, my toddler woke up at midnight because of the fireworks

outside. Instead of crying, she walked straight to our Christmas tree,

turned on the lights, and started clapping like she was celebrating with the neighborhood. She had no idea

what midnight meant, but somehow she knew something special was happening. That pure joy in

her eyes, no concept of time or tradition, just pure wonder at the twinkling

lights and distant sounds. She fell asleep right there under the tree,

hugging her favorite stuffed animal. Sometimes kids understand celebrations better than we do.