Whether you are
a Christian or not, it is impossible to ignore
the frantic gift-giving/receiving/contemplating/hunting/gathering/chasing that sweeps the land at this time.
the frantic gift-giving/receiving/contemplating/hunting/gathering/chasing that sweeps the land at this time.
And would you
want to? I do my version of it and enjoy every bit.
Giftation, or Giftatis, take your pick. It’s in the air, and I’m not holding my breath. I’m taking it in.
Giftation, or Giftatis, take your pick. It’s in the air, and I’m not holding my breath. I’m taking it in.
But I got to thinking
what makes a gift really great. For me, it turns out to be the same whether on
the giving or receiving end of it. It has to do with purpose and thought. If
something I do involves concentrating on the person and their needs, it is fulfilling.
If I sense the same in something I’m given, it is rewarding.
Generic does
nothing for me.
We say, “it’s
the thought that counts,” and mean the gift was a dud, but at least the giver
thought about us. I think this saying is a dud.
A good gift
conveys the thought was directed and specific. I can feel the joy that went
into it, and this joy is akin to the joy I have experienced giving in the same
way.
A long time ago,
in what could have been a galaxy far away, a little boy who knew I had always
wished I had an older brother growing up, made me an older bother. He made my
older brother by drawing him, almost life size, and giving him a birthday,
(three years older than me) and a face. His name is “Mirka’s Older Brother,”
and he hangs inside my closet and greets me every day to start my day right.
It didn’t cost;
it was all thought. That little boy was my son, way back in kindergarten.
His little
sister, not yet four at the time, taught herself to draw what she knew was my
favorite animal. She practiced feverishly on hundreds of pieces of paper until
she felt she had it.
She gave mom a pet no one else had.
Aw, Mirka, these are priceless. I love to give and receive the gift of time.
ReplyDeleteThe Gift of Time. Beautifully said, Vijaya.
DeleteWonderful pictures, and I can see why you treasure such gifts. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteGifts like these are the best. They come from the heart.
ReplyDeleteAw, what great gifts! They're treasures.
ReplyDeleteYears ago M received a priceless handmade birthday card from a 12-year-old friend: a Vulcan salute hand. (They are both Star Trek fans. The friend is now all grown up, married, and has a son.)
Those are great gifts. I think my favorite gift is a watercolor that my daughter did when she was about twelve. She had it beautifully framed. It's trees in the snow. As soon as I saw it, I knew she was a true artist.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
How sweet, Mirka. I have a box of drawings from my children, the best gifts, truly from their hearts.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The thoughtful gift makes the thought count. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful gifts from your children, Mirka! I agree with you totally. A gift that has specific thought of the receiver's likes and/or needs behind it, is a special gift.
ReplyDeletePrecious gifts. The kind that tug on the heart.
ReplyDeleteJust catching up on posts. Your special gifts are awesome and my favorite kind. I can see why you've saved them all these years. When I can't sleep the night before Christmas it's usually because I'm so excited to have found/made the perfect gift for someone. Gifts without lots of thought behind them are often just clutter.
ReplyDeleteLove those gifts! I buy a lot of my gifts at various consignment/used clothing places. It takes a lot of rooting to find that just-right something, but it's so exciting when I find it! And I always give the gifts with the proviso - please feel free to be honest - I can recycle it again if the person doesn't think they'd ever wear it. I'm too old for hurt feelings:)
ReplyDelete