A few weeks ago, Mackenzie and I were playing in the yard. (Sometimes, my niece-phews bring their toys outside so they have a lot of options for their games.) Unfortunately, Bailey got super excited and chewed the head off of a small, plastic polar bear. Mackenzie discovered it and began to cry. Panicking, because I remember how much it saddened me to lose a cool toy, I told Mackenzie that since her birthday is coming up, I'd replace the headless toy (and proceeded to throw away the gross, slobbery one).
Yesterday, I was pacing the aisles of the Toys R Us when a worker directed me right to the same small figurine. The excitement of actually finding the toy soon faded when I realized that the stupid hard plastic mold of a polar bear was $8. What the hell? Eight dollars for something you can't cuddle or even watch on a television? Ridiculous. For a few seconds, I debated buying something else; something that she would use and love "forever." I know that she'll be bombarded by a million toys for her upcoming birthday and that the polar bear figurine would go unplayed with. I didn't want to fork over $8 when I knew I could find something cooler.... but, then, I had a realization....
I promised my niece that I would replace her polar bear. I didn't say, I'd only replace it if I thought it was appropriately priced. Although she's young and may not remember or even fully appreciate the polar bear in a few years, when she unwraps it in a week, she'll know that I kept my word and got her the toy. It's important for my niece-phews to understand that I'm someone who is worthy of their trust and that I'm not just saying things to say them. Mackenzie is perceptive and has an excellent memory. I don't want to be someone in her life who tells her one thing and fails to follow through; I know what that's like. I want this little girl to feel heard and validated. And, I understand that I'm perpetuating the materialistic culture in which we live, but I'm using it to follow through on my promise to a little girl.
Life, to a (soon to be) 5 year old, consists of the relationships she is building, the lessons she's learning, and how much fun she can have before the responsibilities of being an adult hit her. I'm thankful for having the opportunity to be such a big part of her life and watch her grow. Even if that means paying $8 for a little toy that will sit on her shelf.
This was a beautiful post. I'm glad you kept your word, because I remember not only having my awesome toy broken, but people letting me down when they said they'd replaced said lost toy.
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