jerzgirl

I’ve seen a lot of discussions about who got what from or for whom, what did they like, what did they hate, and similar. One set of questions really made me think and that was, what was the best gift you received and what gift did you give that was really from the heart?

Although I responded, I decided the topic was one I wanted to talk about here as well.

I can’t think of anyone who hasn’t received a gift they didn’t like at some point, regardless of the reason for the gift. Most people are gracious and appreciate the thought, even if the gift wasn’t a good one. Whether or not you re-gift kind of depends on what kind of gift it is and how often you see that particular giver.

I re-gifted a couple of things I received from someone because I just didn’t want him giving me gifts. But, I can’t destroy things. I think that’s more cruel than re-gifting. If I think the gift is decent, I try to make sure it has a good home with someone who WILL appreciate it. In my case, it was my granddaughter - she received a collectible porcelain red-headed doll dressed in traditional Irish clothing. I thought it was appropriate because her mother, both grandmothers and all her aunts and uncles on her mother’s side are redheads. I also sent her a little ceramic kitten from Bruge - as much as I like cats, it always reminded me of the giver and I didn’t want that reminder. So, I found it a good home with a little girl who would love having a little kitten to look at.

This year, however, was a bit more difficult with regard to gifts. My income is dramatically decreased because of no employment all year and my mother’s illness made me hesitant to give her any gift she truly can’t use or enjoy. So, therein lies my realization of the best gift and the true gift of the heart.

The best gift I have received this year has been my mother’s being home for Christmas. Her disease is so far advanced, her last hospitalization could have been her final. She’s ill enough that she is on hospice care. So, it’s a bittersweet knowledge that coincides with the joy of her coming home. Her arrival came with no bows or pretty paper, loads of medical equipment and medications, lots of paperwork to sign, but it’s still by far the best gift I could have had.

As for my gift of the heart, that would have to be my caring for her; not to pat myself on the back, because I know others could do a better job, but I WANT to do this. I know hospice will be helping me, but they aren’t here 24/7, so it’s mainly me. I can’t see (and don’t want) anyone else doing this. I know my daughter will help when she can, but Mom has come to my rescue more than once throughout my life - now it’s my turn. How could I NOT give this to her?

So, there it is - sometimes, it IS all about the gifts. And, sometimes, the intangible gifts are the best kind of all.

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