about this time last year...he came home from school excited...it was the day his class got to shop at the holiday market...one of the those elementary school things that i had totally forgotten about, but now, thanks to him, can remember vividly. (...the tables covered in little boxes of "gifts" being not too far above eye level, walking between them checking out all of the options...holding a little change purse in my hands....wondering what to pick...no one there to help talk me out of something or change my mind for me...important decisions to make all on my own)...he ran into the bedroom, the baby was nursing/sleeping in my arms...he whispered in my ear so that she couldn't overhear..."i got something for the baby today...for christmas...it's a bracelet and it's gold (really stressed this)...what's that one that metal colored?" "silver?", i replied..."yeah, silver...it's silver and gold!"  and, yes, it was silver & gold & the most perfectly baby sized bracelet i ever did see...a perfect choice for his sister's first christmas...all on his own.