One of my friends posted about a gift she received in school. As I read it memories flooded back.
I remember Christmas gift exchange in elementary school. My gift came from a girl whose family didn't seem to have as much as we had - which wasn't much either. Sadly, I didn't appreciate my gift until AFTER my little brother claimed it. Then I realized that it wasn't expensive but it was a fun gift. That little girl gave me the gift and looked so HAPPY to be giving it. Her eyes were big and her smile was broad. I know she thought it was an amazing gift. I am glad that I was able to smile back and thank her for the gift. I hope my initial disappointment didn't show.
I will always remember her joy in giving - To me that IS Christmas. I wish I knew what happened to that little girl. I would love to tell her that the real gift I got that Christmas was a vision of the JOY OF GIVING. I can still she her young face and bright smile. I hope she still has that type of joy. Forgive me for cutting this short...the tears are falling.......
10 comments:
Oh Gene how beautiful (teary)...a memory like this to remember forever...and what a beautiful gift that special little girl gave you!!! Wishing you a very Happy Christmas...Dzintra♥x
a beautiful memory Gene!
how sweet..on the other hand, I remember my brother's bff giving me a baby doll, however, he didn't give it to me, he threw it at me in the hall at school, like he didn't want anyone seeing him give me that. so funny, I can still see him doing that.
Thank you for sharing that, Gene. I take so much joy in giving, especially my handmade gifts. One year I gave some homemade bread, homemade jelly, and a hand woven wall hanging to a relative who took one look in disgust and tossed them back in the box. I've carried a grudge for years over that, but have finally reconnected and understand that person's shortcomings.
As for the giveaway, I won't compete with you on this one. Those colors are too much, even for me!!!
Thanks for sharing. I sure do love giving, especially things I have made myself. I hope this season brings you lots of joy.
Oh, Gene...what a wonderful story and I hope that little girl grew up to retain her wonderful spirit....and that her life grew easier as she grew up, too. As a teacher of young children in my earlier days, I saw many times when kids would unintentionally hurt one another by the way they acted when a gift was given ....and it can be a real heartbreak. I, too, got teary-eyed when I read this story as it brought back some of the more poignant memories of those days. Please humor me while I tell you one story.....first year I taught kindergarten and a mom sent in b'day invites for all the girls except one (but I didn't realize that). Asked if I'd hand them out....which I did....and to see the look on that little girl's face when she realized she didn't GET one, I was devastated. Asked the mom of the b'day girl if she'd forgotten her and she said no...her daughter didn't want to include her. From THAT day forward, I had a new RULE in my class. Unless you were sending invites for ALL, then NO invites would be given out in my class ever again...and I stuck to that rule. I was not going to see the light go out in another child's eyes at discovering he or she was not included in the planned b'day party!!!
Such a precious gift she gave. Merry Christmas, Gene.
Gene, your story brought back memories of my elementery school days. Back then most of the kids were only able to give apples, oranges and socks but since my family was slightly better off, my gift to someone was some sort of toy. As you said, I was disappointed with my gift but my mom had warned me to be kind no matter what. At the time I did manage to smile and pretent to be happy but as a child, didn't understand that whatever I received was from the heart. As an adult, I've learned the true meaning of Christmas as it applies to me....love one anoter, that's a gift I'll always cherish. Take care Gene!
Great story! And to Pat's story - I have seen that in the classroom over the years and made sure my kids always invited everyone, and gave a Valentine's card to everyone - what was that mother thinking to allow her daughter to not invite just one??
Happy Holidays to all!!!!
Gene, Thank you for sharing that childhood memory with us. Such a lovely reminder that giving from the heart is the true spirit of Christmas. I hope that you had a lovely holiday. Best wishes! Jay
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