Simplicity

Ahhh, have we arrived at the time in our evolution when gift giving is not about going into debt to pay for things people really don't want or need. Perhaps, the Christ we seek to celebrate in the holidays is not found between the walls of the mall, but in the simple acts of kindness like your dad and mom have decided upon. Perhaps, a Christmas that is not just a single day event, but a commitment to build a network of support within a community...no expectations, no negotiations, no Christmas at a discount, no sale price on the hard work shoveling everyone's drive way by hand and back. An environmentally friendly gift and good exercise to boot!

My holiday gift was the caring for my daughter Mikelle. On Sunday, sharp pain began shooting up a muscle hugging the highway of her twisted spine. I went to her home to help sooth her discomfort, the help was temporary. The thought of an emergency room visit floated through my mind, like the snowflakes blanketing the ground outside, fear began to blanket my spirits.

And, so she came home with me, slept on my couch and proceeded to catch one heck of cold--she passed that on to me, a gift to slow me down so I could think about the new year.

But, the ultimate gift I receive from Mikelle is the courage it takes to live each day from a wheelchair and the gift I gave her was trust. She knew I would be there when she needed me, even though she has moved out, owns her own condo--there are just time when you need your mom.

You and I have nurtured the idea of new communities growing organically, it makes sense that Christmas would not reflect Christmas of old, but the simple unselfish gifts which no one told us to buy.