December 30 – Gift Prompt: Gift. This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What’s the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year? (Author: Holly Root)
Ah, gifts are not just received, but also given. As I look back on the gifts I been given this year, I see that it is always a two way street. One leads to the other and back again.
Deck full of flowers. A gift of cash for my birthday allowed me to buy lots of flowers. But I needed help from my dad to water and Leroy to carry and haul. But in the end, we all enjoyed the amazing blooms this year.
Gift of letting go. I gave into what my garden is. It is small, not enough sun for veggies, even with out the aspens that went away. So it will now be a garden for birds and butterflies and bees. Eventually, with little need for water. Bulbs and flowers from mom will greet us in the spring giving hope that life goes on.
Dad was with us for another year and his 90th. Amazing man who stills takes care of the dog and the dishes and himself and, most importantly, us. I am watching him change and have less energy and be more forgetful, not hear or see as well. I see him fading from this earth, but it is a gift to have him here.
My actor husband has been acting in “grown-up” shows as opposed to just his children’s theatre work. He is amazing and I am so proud of him. He also dabbles in magic while performing Shakespeare and teaches me about the stars. Such a gift.
Time to write. This is the gift I’ve given myself. Through letting go of the quest to be the perfect teacher, I am giving myself the time to be the perfect me, not that I’m perfect by a long shot. It’s just that I am me and am recognizing who I am, bad, as well as good. And I like me. What a surprise gift.
My friends, the real ones, and so many. Oh, God bless you for appreciating and accepting me for who I am. Such patience and love. I love you, too. I love you sharing your life with me.
Wednesday Afternoon Writers. What a lovely group of courageous people who come together to write and share. It is such a joyful gift to learn about your friends in such an intimate way. This is truly a beautiful gift.
Dinners with Maureen. My dearest friend with whom I share the trials and tribulations of being a teacher. She is one, too. This is a gift for our husbands so they don’t have to listen to our complaints.
Learning what my body needs. Because of a knee injury and not wanting to share this gift with my doctor, I shared it with Stephanie at Elements Massage. Her hands are magic and I can walk with much less pain, do stairs with more ease up AND down, and my back doesn’t hurt. But Dorothea gave me the gift of being a buddy to share painting my fingernails and toenails. Never done that before. It’s a good gift for the spirit. And, of course, Weight Watchers. I need it and I’ll be there for the rest of my life. I’m learning to accept this gift of support for the good of my body.
Connecting with Sue and Deb. Reverb10 has given me the gift of reconnecting with two friends from years ago. The best part is sharing our art, writing and photography, and lives. What bliss to share the creative soul. Again, an intimate acknowledgement to be respected and honored.
School. Learning to just focus on simply loving the children and being confident in knowing that I am a good teacher. Letting go of the things I have no control over. That is my gift to them and to me.
And today’s gift. Snow. Sitting by the window with my dog sleeping on his pillow in my beautiful office writing, playing games, and drinking espresso in my Christmas jammies.
Wow. Life is a gift.
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