I can remember the time I was attending a small child’s birthday party. I had shopped and shopped for the perfect toy for said child and was pretty excited to see the look on his face when he opened my gift. I wrapped the gift with care and brought it with me to the party. I was younger at the time and really had no clue what little children would like, but I was sure this gift was going to please. I patiently waited as he passed my gift over time and time again to unwrap the other gifts all around him. There were so many gifts the wait felt like forever. That’s okay though, he’s saving mine for last- the best always comes last, right? That’s what I thought in my mind.
When it was finally time for him to open my gift he ripped the paper off in excitement for it was his last gift. Once the paper was off and the gift was revealed he tossed it aside and ran to the other room asking for cake and ice cream. To say that I was crushed really was an understatement. I had put a lot of time and thought into that gift and I really thought it was going to be one that pleased. While I felt disappointed, I was not disappointed in the child, but in myself. Had I spent all that time looking for the perfect gift only to purchase something crappy?
Years later it was my own child opening gifts on his birthday. As he’s opening his gifts I’m praying that we do not have another moment similar to the one I had experienced years ago, and that is when I decided that I must try to do something- I must make sure I am raising grateful children. For a gift is more than just a toy or fun new object—it’s the thought and the time, the love and the joy that goes into it. I know it gives me great joy to give to others and I want my boys to experience that joy. I want my boys to be more excited to give to others than they are to receive a gift themselves, but most importantly, I want them to appreciate all of the things in life that we have and to be grateful.
Think about how life would be if the gratitude that was felt at the holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas) lasted long after. Almost everything we experience in life is a gift, but we don’t always look at it that way. Wouldn’t it be great if you and those in your life were deeply grateful for everything that came your way?
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