I love the old movie, The Waltons. It is set in rural Virginia where generations of the family have worked the land on Walton’s mountain. As the movie opens, the eldest son, John-Boy, is caught in tension between wanting to please his father and stay on the farm and the longing to follow his heart and become a writer.
On Christmas Eve, his father brings gifts for each of his children. John-Boy’s gift is a bundle of writing pads and pen. The gift, a token of a father’s love … he saw John-Boy’s heart and set him free to follow a writing career even though it would make his life harder without his son to help him.
It made me ponder on the value of a gift.
For me it’s not the size, monitory value or even the wrapping, although I love a beautifully wrapped gift. For me it’s about the way it makes me feel.
When the gift comes with the heart of the giver attached, I feel loved and known. The thought and care that’s gone into choosing something for me, is part of the gift … the part money can’t buy.
I have a leather-bound journal which my son and daughter-in-law brought me from Florence and a soft, grey felt-covered journal which my daughter and her family gave me for my birthday … each is a priceless treasure because they made me feel not only loved, but known. My children know my writer's heart.
A friend who knows my passion for gardening gave me his favourite gardening book, his prized possession and each time I delve into its pages I feel valued and appreciated.
What are the most meaningful gifts you’ve received? I can almost guarantee they were gifts from the heart.
In the school of giving, children can be our greatest teachers. A fist full of dandelions picked just for me … they grace a vase on my bedside table to remind me of spontaneous love … a true gift, expecting nothing in return.
And children teach us a lot about receiving. I love their unashamed excitement and enthusiasm; just watching their uninhibited joy is precious. There’s the rippers who can’t wait to find out what’s inside and the non-rippers, savouring every moment.
A gift is not a gift unless it is received. Receiving well is a gift … a gift to the giver.
Christmas is a reminder of the greatest gift of all ... the gift of a Saviour. May each of your gifts be a token of your love and generosity of spirit and may you be an enthusiastic and grateful receiver.
On Christmas Eve, his father brings gifts for each of his children. John-Boy’s gift is a bundle of writing pads and pen. The gift, a token of a father’s love … he saw John-Boy’s heart and set him free to follow a writing career even though it would make his life harder without his son to help him.
It made me ponder on the value of a gift.
For me it’s not the size, monitory value or even the wrapping, although I love a beautifully wrapped gift. For me it’s about the way it makes me feel.
When the gift comes with the heart of the giver attached, I feel loved and known. The thought and care that’s gone into choosing something for me, is part of the gift … the part money can’t buy.
I have a leather-bound journal which my son and daughter-in-law brought me from Florence and a soft, grey felt-covered journal which my daughter and her family gave me for my birthday … each is a priceless treasure because they made me feel not only loved, but known. My children know my writer's heart.
A friend who knows my passion for gardening gave me his favourite gardening book, his prized possession and each time I delve into its pages I feel valued and appreciated.
What are the most meaningful gifts you’ve received? I can almost guarantee they were gifts from the heart.
In the school of giving, children can be our greatest teachers. A fist full of dandelions picked just for me … they grace a vase on my bedside table to remind me of spontaneous love … a true gift, expecting nothing in return.
And children teach us a lot about receiving. I love their unashamed excitement and enthusiasm; just watching their uninhibited joy is precious. There’s the rippers who can’t wait to find out what’s inside and the non-rippers, savouring every moment.
A gift is not a gift unless it is received. Receiving well is a gift … a gift to the giver.
Christmas is a reminder of the greatest gift of all ... the gift of a Saviour. May each of your gifts be a token of your love and generosity of spirit and may you be an enthusiastic and grateful receiver.
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