As we get older, we realize what’s truly important in our lives: doing things that make us happy, connecting with people, family, great friends, memories and quality time. It’s all the things that are not tangible yet weighs in value much more than gold.
So over the years, my gift giving aim to peel it’s layers down to
gifts that are thoughtful, meaningful or to share quality time. Not so much materialistic gifts. Because hey, if I really wanted that Canon T1i, I could get it for myself. Yet, if I want a memorable day with my best friend at the xoo, I can’t create that memory with a credit card and my sole body. (Though it WOULD be funny if I brought a full size cut-out board of my best friend to the zoo with me.)
To be honest, I first entered this holiday season not feeling the holiday fuzziness- my sister was away, I was traveling around the country, thought most of my girlfriends were going to be out of town. BUT I was pleasantly thrilled that the most important people in my life did come together for the holiday!
Christmas Eve, I spent with my wonderful mum as she made lobster and we talked about life and love.
Come Christmas Day at my best friends house, all my close girlfriends (and their significant others) came! We shared delicious vietnamese food, laughed, did the booty dance in teletubie-like robes and sang songs all afternoon.
The day after Christmas, was my brother’s birthday. He passed away 5 years ago and we always celebrate his birthday with our family and his friends. Got to play pillow war with my nephew (taking him to the zoo tomorrow!), caught up with my brother’s friends and see how they’ve matured.
Sure, you can say I didn’t receive many beautifully wrapped present boxes this year, but let me tell yah, the joy and quality time spent with loved ones made out to be a thousand gift boxes filled with love. and that’s how I like it!
The best gift I received this year this video that my good friend, Danny, made for my brother. I only see Danny once in a couple years and I was really happy that he came to spend time with us for my brother’s birthday. It’s gifts like these that you’ll always cherish, remember and really makes your heart tear up and makes your heart happy.
It’s 2:18am. I just parked my car in front of my house. It’s been a long yet fun night of dancing in SF. I turned off the engine and rush out of the cold towards my front gate.
“Happy Holidays. You got home safe!” a stranger yelled across the street. I looked in that direction in the dark and there she was, a mid 30′s African American women carrying toys in her arms.
“Thank you”, I replied to her, as a reflex. I turned back to unlock my gate when I realized that it was nice that a stranger said that, so I wanted capture this moment. I turned around again and continued, “That’s really sweet of you to say!”.
The young lady walked across the street towards me saying, “We’re sisters. No matter what age, what color. We’re all sisters.” and she was explaining to me that she has been carrying the bear in her arms for her sister, all the way from SF on the bus. She smiled at me and asked if she could share a poem with me. I agreed. A poem that she wrote titled “Black Girl”. It was about rising above hardships and not being a lost black girl, but a FOUND one.
She didn’t ask for anything…just to share that poem with me. And she recited it with conviction. I was moved. When she finished her poem, she wished me a “Happy Holidays” and said to me “I don’t know what this will mean to you, but it’s my Christmas gift to you.” She walked into the night, after I thanked her.
She has no idea, but THAT was the best christmas gift I received this year! This beautiful connecting moment with a stranger. Which really triggered fuzziness inside me and reminds me how we’re all connected as humans. THIS JUST HAPPENED TO ME 15 minutes ago, and I felt compelled to document and share this beautiful moment.
What’s your best Christmas gift? I would love to hear all about it.
