Christmas time is pretty odd and lame in my house. Mostly cause of pockets, exhaustion, dog hair and, oh I’m Jewish.  The rest of the year there are weird eyeball decorations, unicorns and planetarium skies…so i don’t think my boys are really suffering from a lack of spirit. They will be ok. Plus, their Other Mother goes all out ( thank god!)

This year, I got the kids some art kits. They have had many over the years, but this one is better than most with real paint, not the chalky messy toddler squares.

I wrote this admittedly cheesy poem for my boys. I plan to read it to them after they open it. It will be hard to get thru it between their eye rolls and “hurry up mom”s and squirmy uncomfortable fidgeting that comes when I wax on about the universe…But I want them to hear it. And know its not just some crap in a box.

If you too have purchased an art kit and this resonates with you. Please feel free to share.
All Love,
ED

“This is a magic box.
In this box lies the secret to the life you want to have.
Because the very best way to get what you want,
is to create it.

Inside this box are all the tools you need
To travel to outer space
To see the ocean
To enter the rooms of medieval castles
To live amongst the polar bears or
swing with the monkeys.
Go Anywhere. See Everything.

With this box, you are free to express yourself,
in ways you might not have the words to.
When you are sad, or angry, lonely, frustrated or confused,
the tools in this box will help you be yourself.
This box will make you rich,
because with this box you will always have something to give.
You can overflow with love and pour out your feelings.

You can paint flowers or rainbows,
give someone the sun and the moon,
or even just write the words that sing in your heart
but are too hard to say with your mouth.

It is my wish for you that, when boredom and restlessness knock at you,
and you feel like there is nothing to do
That you remember this magic box.
And remember that this whole world and all the other worlds too, are contained inside.
Not only is there something to do in this box.
There is too much to do, And do it you must,

Because you were made to leave your beautiful mark.
Do not judge what comes out, do not worry if it is good enough,

For your hands are perfect.
Intended by nature.
When you create, there are no rules, no right or wrong.
The contents of this box will always set you free.
This box is magic, but only works when mixed with you.”

*how hilarious is it to title something ” Free Poem ” haha, ehh…made me laugh.