Aw - that was beautiful. Toddler Sam was so adorable and big brother Dean, a mite of a child himself, was absolutely so sweetly serious. It was easy to see the men they would become in later years.

Oh my goodness, I absolutely adored this!

I'm, uh, tearing up, but in a good way. :)

Awesome.

What a wonderful story.

I could just imagine Dean trying to wrap the gifts and than his expression as he watched Sammy open the presents. That is the best part, seeing the reactions and Sammy would have been so cute.

The only sad part is that John slept through the whole thing, but than he may have not even realized it was a holiday.

I love that you started the year out with such a sweet story.

Thanks for the smile.

"Dean had wrapped up everything he could find for his little brother to open on Christmas Day. He hadn’t been sure their dad would remember Christmas this year—he was still sleeping after his last long hunt—and he’d been pretty sure Santa wouldn’t be able to find them with as much as they moved around. He’d wanted to make sure Sammy had presents to open, even if he didn’t."

It's so easy to picture Dean doing that! And so very sweet of him. I love how you show the way Dean puts Sam before himself, even at such a young age.

"It felt like he was getting a present, too, just by making Sammy so happy."

That's such a wonderful description!

"...remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

And such a perfect verse. :)

Wonderful, wonderful work as always! I hope that you have a wonderful New Year! :)

Ani-maniac494

Amen, my friend! It definitely is. I seem to end up with a pile at the end, because I've been so busy enjoying everyone else enjoy their gifts, that I've forgotten to open mine. It is a real joy to see their joy. :)

Great to see Dean learn this awesome lesson.

Very nicely done. :)

this is was so so so cute! i loved it.

Cute.

I love this!

I miss the Little Brother Sam who adored his Big Brother Dean, and I miss Big Brother Dean who would do anything to make his Little Brother Sam happy. (and fear we may never see them again on the show)

CB

Aw, just...aw. This was great. I know I teared up reading. Especially when Dean was thinking of "Before". Loved it.

*sniffle* It's mascara in my eyes, dammit, I'm not crying!

That was lovely. And poignant in light of where we are in the show. It must have hurt Dean equally as much when Sam lost that look of hero worship.

So incredibly sweet.

*sniff* Don't cry, don't cry, darn, too late.

That was awesome Beth. Could so imagine Dean wrapping up presents for Sammy as best he could as he wanted him to have a great Christmas and was worried their dad would forget. And what an awesome big brother to wrap up his favourite toy to give to his little brother, remembering his mother said it was better to give than receive. Sammy's reaction just confirmed that and I'm sure he will share the truck with Dean! Just hoping that their dad did remember presents as it would be heartbreaking if Dean got nothing, he deserves the world.

Hope you had a really Happy New Year Beth and that 2010 is a great year for you and your family.

Aww, this is so sweet, Beth. This beautifully illustrates that even at a young age, Dean has always been an awesome big brother. I like that Dean has memories of Mary, too, and how he's finally understanding what she said about it being better to give than to receive. And Sammy is just adorable, love the line when Dean says that the kid was even excited about socks.

Wonderful Wee!chester fic, thanks for writing this for me!

Sue

There are no words to describe how incredibly adorable that was. Reading that story puts a smile on the most cynical of people, and warms the hearts of the coldest. It was truly amazing, and a great installment to your "Life's Lesson" series.

Happy New Year!

clumsyboogirl13

I LOVED this fic! Dean does beam on the show when he can get Sam to smile and enjoy something and you captured perfectly here the beginnings of it all. Happy New Year!