THE GIFT OF GIVING

Giving is so often thought of in terms of the things we give.
But our greatest Giving is of our Time, and Kindness, and even Comfort for those who need it.
—Joyce Sequiche Hifler

I love the Holidays because they remind us of what's important and give us an opportunity to reflect. But I've also always been aware that this time of year is one that many people dread. Movies and media are portraying snapshots of ecstatic happiness: large smiling families gathered together around a perfectly decorated Christmas tree, a pristine table of exquisite food, children leaping with joy among mountains of gifts. We are very blessed if those snapshots are our reality. But the pressure of fitting into this picture of bliss can be heartbreaking. This almost mandatory invitation to be merry (no one wants to be a Scrooge) makes loss, pain, loneliness and depression even more acute.

Christmas back home in France was very simple: a couple of gifts under a very simple tree, papillotes and tangerines in our slippers, a Nativity scene, my Mom's delectable Bûche de Noël and the excitement of staying up until midnight to go to mass and sing in the choir (led by my Mom.) But the most important lesson I learned from this time is the gift of Giving. Not stuff. Giving Time, Kindness and Comfort.

My Mom (if you've read my book, you know what a super woman she is) was in charge of assigning and delivering Colis de Noël  (Christmas parcels) to people in the village who were sick or simply alone. She took it upon herself to add people who might not qualify for the parcel, families who had suffered a loss or were in financial straits. She would sometimes take me along on those delivery errands to help her carry the parcels. We would stop by, be invited in, offer the parcel, and then would come their timid appeal: "Would you like to stay for a cup of coffee, tea or glass of juice?" Every time, I hoped my Mom would say No, because we had so many other parcels to deliver and I had "things to do." But she always said Yes with infinite grace and, as we sipped our drink of choice with an assortment of crackers, cookies or chocolates, I would witness the power of Giving. The Christmas parcel had long been forgotten; the real Gift was my Mom's presence and her ability to truly listen as our host(s) opened their hearts to her. I could feel that something truly special was happening and I have taken that lesson with me: not forgetting those in pain in the flurry of Joy of the Holidays and giving what really matters.  

If we know someone who is suffering, our greatest Gift is our Presence.  

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. —Buddha

Let's keep the spark going! 
Peace & Joy