And here is my gift to you, day #2 of Gift Giving Week!

What Doesn’t Last?

What do you give your child (or anyone for that matter) at Christmas or Hanukkah that lasts?  I have a few things given to me when I was a kid. That means they have lasted 40+ years already.  I don’t give most of them another 40 though.  So, 80 years maybe?  Maybe more if I hand it down and one of my kids care about it and keep it.  Some gifts are lucky to get taken off the living room coffee table after the presents are opened.  They are played with during the time right after the opening of the presents but they are left behind when the presents are taken to the receiver’s room for safe keeping.   Most gifts last a bit longer, but not nearly 80 years.

What does last?

Your love lasts.  That is what they will take with them and keep a lot longer than whatever present you give.  So, if you are prickly with your love, an untouchable, unfriendly sort, then you aren’t giving much love.  If you are an impenetrable wall that hides behind your strength, you aren’t giving much love.  If you are a snake, intent on deceiving, then you aren’t giving any love.  And your child isn’t receiving any either.

Just remember, when you give a gift, it isn’t really the material gift that will last, it’s the love in the giving that will.

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Drawing by Marty Coleman, who got a lot of love growing up.

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Christmas Trivia of the Day

The song, ‘I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus’ was written by a 12 year old.

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