As a child, when my birthday came along I was thrilled with the prospect of what pretty packages held and visions of new and shiny Christmas gifts gleaming under the tree drove me to ridiculous distraction and sleepless nights.
Being that my Birthday and Christmas day are one in the same, I was often told just how lucky I was to get ALL THOSE GIFTS, however I was quick to point out that I only had one day a year to haul in my fair share. Which often didn't feel very fair.
See...being born on Christmas had its ups and downs. Though I usually had a stack of presents a mile high and was still opening long after everybody else was done and someone's dog was frolicking joyfully in the wrapping paper, there were a few relatives who would present a gift with the dreaded, "This is for your birthday AND Christmas!" qualifier. As I was taught to be very polite, I'd smile through near quivering lips, hiding my feelings of insignificance and disappointment and gratefully accept. Besides one present was definitely better than no present.
This same scenario played out from the time I was old enough to comprehend the basics of the whole gift receiving process, until my tenth birthday rolled around. Dad's sister, 'Aunt Gloria' was also my Godmother - who I thought was the worst offender in this solitary Christmas-Birthday gift fiasco - handed me her present with a beaming smile and the same worn out line. The sting of her words sat prickling the edges of my ears as I picked tediously at the tape.
When the content of the package finally revealed itself there it was, a rose pink, pint sized, very modern, battery operated washing machine, fully equipped with laundry detergent and a very hip new outfit for my Barbie. My eyes gleamed as brightly as the chrome knobs on the control panel and in that moment ALL the gifts she'd ever given me marched deliberately to the forefront of my mind. This present, like all those others from the past nine Christmas-Birthdays, wasn't the average pair festive socks, or box of candy she gave everyone else that year, or any other for that matter. Despite her modest income, she had gone out of her way every year to make me feel special and that year I finally got it!
In the years that followed Christmas day 1965, I dubbed Aunt Gloria 'my Fairy Godmother'. I don't remember much about playing with the tiny washer, but when I think of her, I instantly recall the feelings of warmth and love I received through her heartfelt gifts, so now when I accept anything given with that same intention, the delicious feelings she infused in me flood my entire being.
It's been said too many times that 'it's better to give than to receive'. I'm not so sure about that. This early lesson in gracious 'receiving' is exactly why I look for opportunities to give! I've come to realize that everything in life has balanced and equal value. Giving and receiving are no exception. As I see it, an endless stream of givers would leave no receivers, therefore denying the givers the pleasure of giving. It only makes sense that in order for giving to take place, there has to be people available to receive, creating a circle of love around us all. I say, "Let the giving and receiving begin!"
Did I mention my Birthday is coming? :)
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