There are probably a billion pages of literature written about the art of giving, but I bet there are very few that speak of the art of receiving.
My goal of simplifying things this holiday season is off to a good start. In an effort to make things easier, I directly asked the children what they each wanted for Christmas from Santa. I have a ten-year old who is hanging on to Santa for dear life and the rest of them have heard me repeat enough times that “if you don’t believe, you don’t receive.”
Each of them responded in line with his or her personality. The eldest sent me her gift ideas with URLs attached. Bless her. Our second daughter gave me some vague idea of things she wants by category, i.e. she wants to be surprised. The third one told me that other than a basketball hoop, he doesn’t need anything. Ridiculous. Thankfully the youngest has a list a mile long and he has even indicated that he may need doubles of certain items in case the first one breaks. That is what I call practical.
The art of receiving applies just as easily to birthdays. I have never understood why a person does not want to make a big deal of his or her birthday. I believe that everyone should celebrate the day of their birth for the world is a better place just for having them in it! Mine is April 19th and I will happily send out reminder e-mails for those who forget. A few years ago my mom decided that she would only buy birthday gifts for the ten grandchildren. This is the same woman who gave our daughter twenty-six Christmas presents when she was six months old so she is obviously not short of ideas. Thank goodness Mom responds well to guilt, so THAT campaign was short lived and her own children still receive birthday goodies.
Last week I was running around like a nut, arriving at a friend’s house to pick up one of the kids at 8 pm. When I entered the kitchen, my friend told me to sit down and then she proceeded to serve me dinner. I am sure she didn’t think much of it, but I hope she knows that being on the receiving end that night meant everything to me.
We have all been taught that giving is what makes the world go round, yet there is equal grace in receiving. So, this holiday season, when you are on the receiving end, accept what is given with gratitude and smile in the knowledge that you are loved.