Like so many other people, I have been thinking a lot about Christmas.
Ever sense I was a small child I could not wait for Christmas, I was the reason my parents came up with the, "you can't get up before the sun" rule on Christmas morning. I was just so excited and so ready to open up the gifts that I could not control my excitement any longer, and sleep for another minute. It may sound silly, but as my sister (who is six years younger) and I were growing up I can remember every Christmas eve, we would try and have a slumber party in a different room in the house. This always worked well because we would move before we would have to sleep in the bathroom :) Recently I have been thinking back to these moments a lot and trying to decide if I still have this excitement for presents. Like it is said so many times in the bible, we have a lot to learn from the innocence of children.
And as I think about this more and more, I am convinced that Christmas is not the same for me as it used to be. I would be lying if I told you that I did not like getting gifts, but for me Christmas is so much more than getting gifts but rather it is more important to give gifts. I am the type of person that starts shopping for Christmas presents the day after Christmas (which by the way, has great decoration sales). I simply love walking into a store and seeing that perfect present and buying it for important people. Then I love to spend hours and hours wrapping gifts, to make them look perfect so that it can be ripped to shreds within minutes. And then you know that you have done a good job when you see that smile on someones face. That is the moment that I can not get enough of.
I can not tell you how many times in the last week, I have been asked the question, what is the best present that you ever got. I also was asked the question (many times) what is the best gift that you ever gave. So for these two questions I thought that I would share my answers as well as some of my housemates answers. Here is what we said.
Carol:
gave - Over the past four years, my aunt and I have gotten really close. So last year I decided that I wanted to get her something that I knew she would love, and would never by herself (but not be SUPER expensive). So I went to the store and circled the store many times, then I saw some football jerseys (which my aunt is a big Colts fan). Being in Illinois, however, they do not sell Colts jerseys. So on the way to family Christmas in Ohio (which was really pushing it time wise). But after a last minute stop on the way, I had my jersey and wrapped it in the car.
got - For some reason I can not get a stupid pair of pink boot slippers out of my mind. In 2003, my dad was very sick. It was our last Christmas together, before he died, which I think he knew at the time. He was getting ready to go to Switzerland to get medicine that they did not have in the U.S. so I thought that Christmas was not going to happen, because we needed all the money for dad. However, I was wrong, this was a huge Christmas full of excitement. Mom got us each several gifts, we got several gifts from santa, and then for the first time (I think ever) dad each got us gifts. I think that he knew that it was his last Christmas, so he made it extra special that year. The one gift that I remember are the slippers, that I asked him for. Thanks DAD!
Clara (thanks for typing yours up :):
Received - After approximately 10 years of writing HORSE in all caps at the top of each birthday and Christmas Wish-List, about two weeks before my 16th Christmas, the time finally came! My parents shared the news and left me jumping around the house waiting, oh so impatiently, for the arrival of my very own Quarter Horse mare! With her came a bridle, saddle, and most exciting of all a pregnancy! Diamond was due to foal in late spring! The absolute jubilee I found in my new horse and her coming baby far surpassed any other gift, and will probably hold the record for many Christmases to come!
Gave – My brother and I raised, exhibited, and sold livestock starting at age six. By the age of ten, we had tearfully parted with multiple market steers, lambs, and pigs. Pain that was only eased with the passing of time, and the coming of the pay check! The money we made at the fair amassed a small fortune for some ten year old farm kids who received no allowance. As encouraged as we were to save our money, Isaac and I became very interested in Heifer International. When Christmas rolled around, we pooled our fair money to buy two sheep in honor of our grandmothers. Not only were our grandmothers proud, but in the end we were able to share the gift of livestock with those in poverty. The gift of livestock, a gift that we knew all about.
Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with people that you love. The Elgin BVS House is quickly spreading east and west for the holiday season, returning to our homes.
Peace and Good Tidings!
Carol
No comments:
Post a Comment