Christmas will be here in a few days…and as I have shopped, wrapped, mailed, given and put under the tree, I am very cognizant of all the presents I have been given this year. As I open packages on Christmas morning, I will also remember the presents already given.
Certainly, many of these presents cost money…but it is the feeling, caring, thoughtfulness and love behind these presents that is settling in to my heart.
The gift of travelling to Chicago to spend time with Amanda, Robert, Georgia and Winnie…not once, but three times. The gift of Georgia’s hugs and incredible comments. Winnie’s laughter and wonderful smiles. The thoughtfulness that Amanda and Robert have shown in recognizing my need to be with my granddaughters. Making me feel like a kid again on my 62nd birthday. The privilege of taking a vacation with them to Arizona. The confidence Amanda & Robert had in me to let me take care of their greatest treasures on my own for 3 days…and the joy of getting to know my granddaughters on my own. “Georgia, Winnie and dd … three!”
An afternoon with the Alfords, and childhood friends of Amanda’s at the lake. What a joy to hold Georgia as she jumped into the lake for the first time – and getting Winnie up from her nap.
The gift of Hobie’s weekly phone call. The gift of knowing that I am never forgotten – being kept up to date on Hobie’s life. The gift of a phone call every day from the road as Hobie moved from the sunny south to the great northwest.
The gift of Paul inviting me to see the home he was about to buy…and keeping me informed of the changes that were taking place as the renovations were done. And again, the gift of time as Paul connected with me for meals, and introduced to me to his friends…and walking me thru the set-up of my new cell phone. The gift of Paul wanting to spend time with me during the Christmas season and bringing Emily by for Christmas cookies and together watching a “Charlie Brown Christmas”.
The gift of getting involved with a political campaign. The gift of being open and willing and stretching my wings, and getting outside my comfort zone with phone-banking and canvassing. There was never a day with the campaign that I wasn’t touched, got tears in my eyes, or that my heart did not burst with joy.
The gift of new friends, friends that might have never entered my life. My treasures in this life have increased 200-fold. I have been enriched beyond any earthly earnings that could ever come my way.
The gift of friends that I have had over my lifetime. The gift of knowing that friends I worked with for 21+years have not forgotten me…that our friendship went beyond the walls of an office building. The gift of an e-mail or phone call saying, “Hey, let’s get together and catch up!” The gift of cards, e-mails and phone calls from friends and family far away.
The gift of friends, a second family in Dahlonega, GA that I see each week. The sharing, tears and laughter that fill our get togethers. The reflection back to me of my strengths and weaknesses…more often my strengths…that help me keep evolving…and hopefully becoming more of who I am – enlarging those positives and shrinking the negatives.
The gift of being able to wake up each morning with a deep feeling of gratitude for all that is in my life: past, present and future. The gift of feeling down and knowing that the “downer feelings” aren’t the the essence of my life…that they are OK to feel, but will pass quickly.
The gift of appreciation from family and friends for my creative side. A gift that helps me continue with my creative endeavors always trying to make what I create different, and better.
The gift of acceptance...a large part of this gift is being able to accept gifts from others.
During this year, I have been given the gift of becoming more open and willing...a gift that I plan to take with me to the New Year.
I am overwhelmed by the gifts of this year...in a WONDERFUL WAY! Instead of getting “another year older”, I have been given the gift of growing: younger in spirit – stronger in my intuition - more open to possibilities – humbler in the light of my blessings – a greater ability to live in the moment . Gifts that are formed by the experiences of “the every day” ... gifts that don’t cost a dime, but often require some sweat-equity of the soul.
Yes, presents are meant to be opened ...
The presents that are “unseen” are meant to be cultivated and grown ... Taken from one day into the next. ..At every opportunity, to be passed on to family, friends and strangers... for we are all part of a whole...
THANK YOU!
Certainly, many of these presents cost money…but it is the feeling, caring, thoughtfulness and love behind these presents that is settling in to my heart.
The gift of travelling to Chicago to spend time with Amanda, Robert, Georgia and Winnie…not once, but three times. The gift of Georgia’s hugs and incredible comments. Winnie’s laughter and wonderful smiles. The thoughtfulness that Amanda and Robert have shown in recognizing my need to be with my granddaughters. Making me feel like a kid again on my 62nd birthday. The privilege of taking a vacation with them to Arizona. The confidence Amanda & Robert had in me to let me take care of their greatest treasures on my own for 3 days…and the joy of getting to know my granddaughters on my own. “Georgia, Winnie and dd … three!”
An afternoon with the Alfords, and childhood friends of Amanda’s at the lake. What a joy to hold Georgia as she jumped into the lake for the first time – and getting Winnie up from her nap.
The gift of Hobie’s weekly phone call. The gift of knowing that I am never forgotten – being kept up to date on Hobie’s life. The gift of a phone call every day from the road as Hobie moved from the sunny south to the great northwest.
The gift of Paul inviting me to see the home he was about to buy…and keeping me informed of the changes that were taking place as the renovations were done. And again, the gift of time as Paul connected with me for meals, and introduced to me to his friends…and walking me thru the set-up of my new cell phone. The gift of Paul wanting to spend time with me during the Christmas season and bringing Emily by for Christmas cookies and together watching a “Charlie Brown Christmas”.
The gift of getting involved with a political campaign. The gift of being open and willing and stretching my wings, and getting outside my comfort zone with phone-banking and canvassing. There was never a day with the campaign that I wasn’t touched, got tears in my eyes, or that my heart did not burst with joy.
The gift of new friends, friends that might have never entered my life. My treasures in this life have increased 200-fold. I have been enriched beyond any earthly earnings that could ever come my way.
The gift of friends that I have had over my lifetime. The gift of knowing that friends I worked with for 21+years have not forgotten me…that our friendship went beyond the walls of an office building. The gift of an e-mail or phone call saying, “Hey, let’s get together and catch up!” The gift of cards, e-mails and phone calls from friends and family far away.
The gift of friends, a second family in Dahlonega, GA that I see each week. The sharing, tears and laughter that fill our get togethers. The reflection back to me of my strengths and weaknesses…more often my strengths…that help me keep evolving…and hopefully becoming more of who I am – enlarging those positives and shrinking the negatives.
The gift of being able to wake up each morning with a deep feeling of gratitude for all that is in my life: past, present and future. The gift of feeling down and knowing that the “downer feelings” aren’t the the essence of my life…that they are OK to feel, but will pass quickly.
The gift of appreciation from family and friends for my creative side. A gift that helps me continue with my creative endeavors always trying to make what I create different, and better.
The gift of acceptance...a large part of this gift is being able to accept gifts from others.
During this year, I have been given the gift of becoming more open and willing...a gift that I plan to take with me to the New Year.
I am overwhelmed by the gifts of this year...in a WONDERFUL WAY! Instead of getting “another year older”, I have been given the gift of growing: younger in spirit – stronger in my intuition - more open to possibilities – humbler in the light of my blessings – a greater ability to live in the moment . Gifts that are formed by the experiences of “the every day” ... gifts that don’t cost a dime, but often require some sweat-equity of the soul.
Yes, presents are meant to be opened ...
The presents that are “unseen” are meant to be cultivated and grown ... Taken from one day into the next. ..At every opportunity, to be passed on to family, friends and strangers... for we are all part of a whole...
THANK YOU!
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