“Mommy, I want a fire truck for Christmas.”

I first heard those words about a month ago, and they haven’t stopped yet. I would be lying if I didn’t say I was more than a little surprised to hear my four-year-old daughter tell me and everyone else that this year. I guess I wouldn’t have been so shocked if she said she wanted a Barbie or another doll or some other toy she’s “supposed” to want. Even her teacher was intrigued when the words came out of my daughter’s mouth at the class Christmas party.

I really shouldn’t be all that flabbergasted because this was the same girl who told me she wanted a motorcycle for her birthday six months ago. I really dread what lies ahead when she turns sixteen! But, I digress. My point here is that I find it interesting that everyone, myself included, would find it so odd that a four-year-old girl would want a fire truck for Christmas. If she were a boy, no one would flinch. I think it just goes to show how set we still are when it comes to gender, kids and toys. What I find even most interesting is that my daughter doesn’t see anything strange or intriguing about it at all. It’s just comes naturally. She likes fire trucks, so she wants one. Period. I think that attitude is better than any gift I or Santa could ever give her.

Sometimes I wish I could see things so simply like that. I’m sure a lot of you out there would agree. When my daughter constantly tells me she wants to be a grown up, I constantly tell her being a kid is just the best. That’s because it is.

There are no “boy toys” or “girl toys”, just toys.

There are no white or black people, just people.

There are no ugly colors in the crayon box, just crayons.

There are no cheap or ugly gifts, just gifts.

I think you get what I’m saying here.

I think this year we should all see Christmas through a child’s eyes, where girls can get fire trucks and boys can get Easy Bake ovens, if they want.

Merry Christmas!

p.s. Santa is bringing a fire truck!