The list for this week, I think, is a bit difficult to answer because the people at the receiving end may be the best persons to tell us what my best gifts have been. For me, though, all of the gifts I give are special if only for the extra effort I put in to give someone what they truly want (as much as I can or afford, of course, haha!) .
Anyway, I’ll try to remember the ones that really made me happy to give out and would never ever regret having given. :)
1. Graduating from school. I guess some will say that this is actually my responsibility as a daughter, and not a gift at all. However, because I knew how important this achievement was to my parents, even if they simply expected me to finish school, I did it in a blaze of glory – all those years of study with hardly any cause for a headache on their part, with even a few honors here and there, and of course a beautiful and distinctive diploma that they now proudly hang on the wall for everyone to see. Their gift to me was an education, I gifted them with (hopefully) pride for themselves and of me.
2. My decisive yet sweet “I Do”. It was close to Christmas when I accepted my husband’s proposal so, in a way, it also made his Christmas all the more memorable. I was a hard one to woo, largely because I had very huge trust issues going on at that time. But he persevered because he knew in his heart, even before I did, that we were meant to be together. So when I said yes, I could never forget the happiness that I brought into his eyes. I hope, though, he still thinks of me the same way now, haha!
3. A Chicken Meal. Before my husband and I came to the States, we have made it a promise to roam the streets of Manila every Christmas Eve to give out a simple meal to some homeless families on the streets. It’s not much but it was always our prayer that, as the meager noche buena filled their bellies, a spirit of hope would fill their hearts as well.
4. A Child’s Blanket. Our church has a Christmas tree with some red tags on it. What one has to do is to simply get one of the tags, buy and wrap whatever is written on it, and place it back under the tree. The tag that I got read: Child’s Blanket – I didn’t even think, I just went into a store, got the fluffiest and softest one I could find, wrapped it up, and left it under the tree. It somehow gave me this feeling of immense joy – knowing that somewhere, soon, Christmas will be a warm one for one little child.
5. Food. That I cooked, hehe! I’m not much of a cook. Honestly, I cook to survive and not to impress! *wink* But in the few times that I’ve shared a dish or a dessert, I always felt really proud of myself for giving something that I’ve made with my own two hands. I’m just really glad that no one has had any food poisoning from any of it, hehe!
6. My full dedication as a SAHM. Some people never seem to tire of telling me time and time again that I may possibly be wasting my education and (aherm) intelligence by opting to stay home and care for my family. But, becoming a SAHM was a conscious choice, and something that I really had to think hard about before I applied myself whole-heartedly to the task. And my family, especially my husband, appreciates it more than he can ever say. Actually, now having this blessed opportunity and option to be a SAHM, which many women can only hope to be especially in these difficult times, has become more of a gift to me than mine for my family.
7. Friendship. I may not be a rich person but I have wide arms, big listening ears, and lots of laughter to share with those who honor me with their friendship. Once we’re friends, we’re friends forever – that, I can guarantee.
8. Prayers. Because there are some things that money can never buy.
9. Books. The truth is, I love receiving books as gifts so, in return, I love giving out books, too. The things you can learn from books, you could never truly measure. I also appreciate seeing the people I gifted books with, once they absorb the stories or learnings, would also share the book with others so that they may pass on the experience. In a world where entertainment can easily be had from electronic devices and such, the comfort of curling up with a good book is a slowly diminishing pleasure that I pray won’t completely go away.
10. My daughter. Some say that the best gift you can give the world is to bring forth a child who will grow up to be a bright, productive, compassionate, and loving human being. So far, I can say that my husband and I are on our way to fulfilling that gift. Let’s see in a few years’ time if you’re going to ask me for a return receipt, hehe.
Whew, I thought I would never reach ten, hehe! And look, the things I wrote down turned out to be gifts that money couldn’t buy. (I guess, I’m too cheap? Haha!)
How about you? What are the 10 best gifts you have given?
~~~
If you’re in the DC area and a loved one needs a little boost with their smile, consider gifting them with a visit to a Washington DC cosmetic dentistry office. You’re never fully dressed without a great smile! :)
MrsWorkingGirl :: Dec.16.2008 ::
Ten on Tuesday ::
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