My Place

            Our Sunday School lesson for the second Sunday of Advent was that humility is the true spirit of Christmas.  Teaching point two was this:  “Humility is expressed in knowing and accepting your place in God’s plan.”

            It is a little awkward to write about humility and oneself without seeming to be proud.  But I think you will agree with me that there is nothing puffed-up about my place in God’s plan:  playing Mr. Monkey and singing “The Wheels on the Bus” with my grandson, Benjamin.

            Before I divulge details of the monkey game which is now part of my daily life, let me give you a little background.  Benjamin isn’t your typical four-year-old.  He has Down Syndrome.  He has yet to utter his first word, but he is adept at signing “please” and his own version of “sing.”  He also communicates through his body language and actions.

            Benjamin and I are always very happy to see each other.  We smile, laugh, clap our hands, and give each other a big hug.  After one or more rounds of this mutual adoration society greeting, he brings me one of his stuffed monkeys.  “Why, it’s Mr. Monkey!” I exclaim.  Then, using my best Mr. Monkey voice, I wave a monkey arm and say, “Hi, Benjamin!” followed by three sets of “Hoo-Hoo-Hoo!  Ha-Ha-Ha!  Mu-ah!”  as Mr. Monkey zooms in to kiss Benjamin (left ear, right ear, face) with each repetition. 

            During the course of these daily visits, I also manage to squeeze in conversation time with my daughter and her husband as well as play time with nine-month-old Joelle.  Inevitably, the Mr. Monkey routine is repeated several times over as is Benjamin’s request for “The Wheels on the Bus.”  He signs “sing” (spinning his hands like the wheels on the bus) and “please” (rubbing his hand on his chest).  I have shortened this never-ending song to a mere seven verses, and it is always followed up by “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.”  Then we laugh and hug each other again.

            I am sure that as time goes on, Benjamin and I will come up with additional games to play.  In the meantime, though, I am quite certain that God’s plan for me is to sing “The Wheels on the Bus” and play Mr. Monkey with all the love and gusto I can.