I absolutely LOVE giving presents. I love the whole experience of making someone’s dream come true by finding just the right thing.
Present vs Presents
The thing that makes them light up more brightly than the bedazzled tree itself. One of my top two love languages is gifts and this makes the holiday season particularly exciting for me.
BUT…here’s the thing I’ve learned. While presents are fun for everyone, they will never replace being truly present. And when I look back in time over my favorite holiday memories, it’s never about the stuff.
My favorite memory from being eight years old is my Great Uncle Swanie getting my Great Aunt Pearl and Great Aunt Almeda tipsy on Pink Lady cocktails. Yep. They got giggly then fell asleep in their chairs. They were all in their 80s at the time and it was hilarious to me because Pearl and Almeda were tea-totalers still holding onto prohibition era thinking.
A more recent favorite memory is a simplified holiday with Mike and Isabelle. The big kids were all gone doing their own grown up things and the three of us hung out in our pajamas all day long—literally—and played games, ate delicious food and watched a movie or two. It was so relaxing. The pressure was off. And we could just BE present with one another.
With our son’s whirlwind cancer diagnosis and near death, this year, we are so grateful to be together that there is no greater gift that could be had so we have focused our energy on giving to others in meaningful ways.
This holiday I challenge you to consider that – what is a way you can give in a meaningful way? Consider the impact that a gift to Radiant Health would make to the lives of children in our community- the families struggling with hurts- adults that just need a little hope.
A gift that could…
- help a young mother with the support she so desperately needs
- provide safety to victims of abuse
- help surviors get the care they need
- advocate for healthy relationships
- Change lives for good
As you find yourself knee deep in wrapping paper and completing your last minute shopping, take a moment to breathe. Deep breath in. Exhale. Instead of concerning yourself so much with presents, BE present with your loved ones and consider a gift to Radiant Health.
