I want to take a sojourn through the wonderful part of this time of year, namely GIFT-GIVING.This is the MAIN reason we enjoy so much about CHRISTMAS, due to our giving.
To ourselves.
To family.
To friends.
To total strangers.
And we do it with a glad heart...or at least we SHOULD.
Now, sometime during the holidays, you'll invariably hear the phrase "How much did you spend"?
To ME, that's not all that important, even in a bad economy.
And it's NOT because we've got money flowing out our butts here.
Wifey will tell you, I tend to be REAL frugal...not a "cheapskate"...there IS a difference.
God knows as I was growing up money was often tight...REAL tight.
Some years, we didn't even know if we'd have a Christmas...at least not one with the traditional "trappings".
So how much money you spend isn't the issue. Never should be.
You can give $5 to the Salvation Army bell-ringer...doesn't seem like much, but to someone else who's the recipient of such charity...it's a blessing and a half!
Now, I know that as we get older, there is a lot less that we want.
In many ways, I've become my parents, which (to me) is a wonderful thing.
If Mrs. Bobby G. asks me "Hon, what do you want for Christmas?", I honestly have to think about it...
I mean there are tons of things I "want", but since that Aston Martin Vantage isn't going to be coming to a garage near me ANY time soon, I can kiss that off.
Ditto for world peace. (be nice , but you know you ain't gonna get it)
There may be a few CDs of DVDs, but I find myself in a real quandary most years.
Wasn't always that way...
(Sherman, set the WAY-BACK machine to Philadelphia, 2066 E. Pacific St, circa 1960)
Our old neighborhood was something you don't see at all anymore.
Every corner had some sort of store on it.
One was a grocery...another was a "five and dime", and still another might be a TV repair shop.
In other words, you never had to go far to get something...or anything for that matter.
Now, I had to pass several shops on my way to school (a whopping THREE block walk), and at one store at the corner of Frankford and Castor Avenues, there was this huge picture window.
To family.
To friends.
To total strangers.
And we do it with a glad heart...or at least we SHOULD.
Now, sometime during the holidays, you'll invariably hear the phrase "How much did you spend"?
To ME, that's not all that important, even in a bad economy.
And it's NOT because we've got money flowing out our butts here.
Wifey will tell you, I tend to be REAL frugal...not a "cheapskate"...there IS a difference.
God knows as I was growing up money was often tight...REAL tight.Some years, we didn't even know if we'd have a Christmas...at least not one with the traditional "trappings".
So how much money you spend isn't the issue. Never should be.
You can give $5 to the Salvation Army bell-ringer...doesn't seem like much, but to someone else who's the recipient of such charity...it's a blessing and a half!
Now, I know that as we get older, there is a lot less that we want.
In many ways, I've become my parents, which (to me) is a wonderful thing.
If Mrs. Bobby G. asks me "Hon, what do you want for Christmas?", I honestly have to think about it...
I mean there are tons of things I "want", but since that Aston Martin Vantage isn't going to be coming to a garage near me ANY time soon, I can kiss that off.
Ditto for world peace. (be nice , but you know you ain't gonna get it)
There may be a few CDs of DVDs, but I find myself in a real quandary most years.
Wasn't always that way...
(Sherman, set the WAY-BACK machine to Philadelphia, 2066 E. Pacific St, circa 1960)
Our old neighborhood was something you don't see at all anymore.Every corner had some sort of store on it.
One was a grocery...another was a "five and dime", and still another might be a TV repair shop.
In other words, you never had to go far to get something...or anything for that matter.
Now, I had to pass several shops on my way to school (a whopping THREE block walk), and at one store at the corner of Frankford and Castor Avenues, there was this huge picture window.
And every year at Christmas, the store owner would divide that ONE window into TWO "windows" for one purpose alone.
- One side had some sort of toy or playset for GIRLS, and the other side had something for BOYS.
All of us stopped and pressed our faces against that window daily, going to or coming from our school.
We ALL wanted Santa to get us "THAT" (in the window).
That was the ONLY thing we wanted...seriously.
This was a time where TV ads were mainly directed at ADULTS, and none of us children wanted a new mop, or a MAYTAG washer, or even wanted to "See the USA in our CHEVROLET". We wanted what was in that window.
One year, it was a fire engine set, complete with hook and ladder, pumper, a tin firehouse with opening doors and firemen to man the trucks.
All of us stopped and pressed our faces against that window daily, going to or coming from our school.
We ALL wanted Santa to get us "THAT" (in the window).That was the ONLY thing we wanted...seriously.
This was a time where TV ads were mainly directed at ADULTS, and none of us children wanted a new mop, or a MAYTAG washer, or even wanted to "See the USA in our CHEVROLET". We wanted what was in that window.
One year, it was a fire engine set, complete with hook and ladder, pumper, a tin firehouse with opening doors and firemen to man the trucks.
Another year it was an airport playset with loads of planes (and control tower made of metal) and plenty of trucks and people.
Made you want to be an air-traffic controller (which is something not many really want to be THESE days...)
Or it could be a civil war or WW2 playset.Lots of stuff to play with...all for the creativity in every child.
The owner of that store always made sure to provide the most wonderful displays for the kids, so we'd all go home and beg our parents to shop THERE.
(nice ploy...and for a few, it worked damn well)
I wasn't as fortunate, as those toys or playsets often cost close to FIFTEEN dollars!!!
(yeah, that was a nice chunk o' change in those days...you could get close to TWO BAGS of groceries for the same price)
But, my folks were not without their own resources.
They would shop SEARS, which back then, had some of the BEST TOYS around, and often for less than anywhere else.
Sure, it took them several buses to get there, or they had to rely on a friend to drive them there (we didn't have a car, either), but they somehow managed to get that "big-ticket" item I found under the Christmas tree on the 25th.
It might not have been the same thing in that corner store, but (to me) it was BETTER, because I knew the reason WHY my folks got it for me, and took the trouble to comb the stores in the dead of winter, miles from our house.
I might not have gotten much else, and that was OK by me.
Many years, I would get Lincoln logs...or Tinkertoys, or other building sets (guess my folks wanted me to be an architect).
I did take that up in high school for THREE years, and got straight A's in the subject (it was the tinkertoys, definitely), but I didn't follow up on it (like a duffus).
I know...coulda, woulda, shoulda...and hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20, too.
In so many ways, I really miss those financially-challenged Christmases we had.
They were, if nothing else...SINCERE.
We didn't have much, but we had each other, and that was a pretty good gift to have every year we enjoyed AS a family.
Today, when it comes to giving, I'm pretty much on board the "Practicality Express".
(not to be confused with the POLAR EXPRESS, but still run by the SAME parent railroad...lol)
And when it comes to what I get, the more practical, the better.
I like books, anything related to the car or home (that would be power tools or gadgets that make the work about the house less taxing), and definitely skivvies and sweat socks. Maybe a pair of slippers every two years (the average life-expectancy for mine).
With a house to maintain, sometimes the gifts get a little TOO "practical"...like a new roof (try placing THAT in wrapping paper under the tree...I dare 'ya).
Still, what you GIVE and the manner in which you give it is what is important.
This year, I told the missus that I wanted to give to some charities, and she said "no problem".
So, yesterday, I went online and donated money to TWO organizations that I felt were deserving of both my time and funds.
The owner of that store always made sure to provide the most wonderful displays for the kids, so we'd all go home and beg our parents to shop THERE.
(nice ploy...and for a few, it worked damn well)
I wasn't as fortunate, as those toys or playsets often cost close to FIFTEEN dollars!!!
(yeah, that was a nice chunk o' change in those days...you could get close to TWO BAGS of groceries for the same price)
But, my folks were not without their own resources.They would shop SEARS, which back then, had some of the BEST TOYS around, and often for less than anywhere else.
Sure, it took them several buses to get there, or they had to rely on a friend to drive them there (we didn't have a car, either), but they somehow managed to get that "big-ticket" item I found under the Christmas tree on the 25th.
It might not have been the same thing in that corner store, but (to me) it was BETTER, because I knew the reason WHY my folks got it for me, and took the trouble to comb the stores in the dead of winter, miles from our house.
I might not have gotten much else, and that was OK by me.Many years, I would get Lincoln logs...or Tinkertoys, or other building sets (guess my folks wanted me to be an architect).
I did take that up in high school for THREE years, and got straight A's in the subject (it was the tinkertoys, definitely), but I didn't follow up on it (like a duffus).
I know...coulda, woulda, shoulda...and hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20, too.
In so many ways, I really miss those financially-challenged Christmases we had.
They were, if nothing else...SINCERE.
We didn't have much, but we had each other, and that was a pretty good gift to have every year we enjoyed AS a family.
Today, when it comes to giving, I'm pretty much on board the "Practicality Express".
(not to be confused with the POLAR EXPRESS, but still run by the SAME parent railroad...lol)
And when it comes to what I get, the more practical, the better.
I like books, anything related to the car or home (that would be power tools or gadgets that make the work about the house less taxing), and definitely skivvies and sweat socks. Maybe a pair of slippers every two years (the average life-expectancy for mine).With a house to maintain, sometimes the gifts get a little TOO "practical"...like a new roof (try placing THAT in wrapping paper under the tree...I dare 'ya).
Still, what you GIVE and the manner in which you give it is what is important.
This year, I told the missus that I wanted to give to some charities, and she said "no problem".
So, yesterday, I went online and donated money to TWO organizations that I felt were deserving of both my time and funds.
--The wounder Warrior Project
--Operation baghdad Pups (ASPCS Intl) Now, I wish I did have the financial resources to give a lot more, but I gave from my heart.
I will also do likewise to family and friends this year.
I have become my parents, because I know what they felt when THEY gave.
And what you give is often eclipsed by what you GET BACK.
I don't go looking for monetary compensation...no one ever should.
What you RECEIVE is part of what makes up this Christmas "magic"...
The feeling that you have helped someone...somewhere, for no other reason but that is was the right thing to do.
There was one Christmas (back in the late 80s) when I specifically felt this odd compulsion to do something "different" (must have been God tapping me on the shoulder...usually he smacks the back of my head to get my attention).
I went to a nearby store and purchased this big, cute teddy bear. It as one of those weird-ass moments, where you see something and it beckons you...coaxes you into action.
I will also do likewise to family and friends this year.
I have become my parents, because I know what they felt when THEY gave.
And what you give is often eclipsed by what you GET BACK.
I don't go looking for monetary compensation...no one ever should.
What you RECEIVE is part of what makes up this Christmas "magic"...
The feeling that you have helped someone...somewhere, for no other reason but that is was the right thing to do.
There was one Christmas (back in the late 80s) when I specifically felt this odd compulsion to do something "different" (must have been God tapping me on the shoulder...usually he smacks the back of my head to get my attention).I went to a nearby store and purchased this big, cute teddy bear. It as one of those weird-ass moments, where you see something and it beckons you...coaxes you into action.
Maybe the face on the bear said something to me...I don't know. "I" certainly didn't NEED the bear, but...
So I bought that bear, loaded it into the Firebird and drove it down to an old orphanage along the Delaware river (St Vincents in Tacony). I knew of a neighbor that had grown up there (and he turned out OK), and I became curious about what they do.
I liked what I read regarding the history of the place.
So, I get there, and it's a rather modest place...nothing fancy at all. Quiet as a graveyard...no one else around that I can see.
I walk in, a 2 ft tall bear cradled under my arm, and see this humble 8 ft. tree, decorated with handmade ornaments (from the children, no doubt) in what might be their "family room" (this is an older building, so it did look a tad Victorian). And it's still there.
The woman at the front desk asked: "Can I help you, sir?"
I replied: "Yeah, see I have this bear in need of a good home, and was wondering if you have anyone here in mind willing to take him in?"
Well, I didn't know whose eyes were filling up faster...hers or mine (must have been some dust in the air).
She said: "Why yes, I do...thank you so much for your kindness. He will get a good home and love."
I thanked HER and, and after wishing each other a very Merry Christmas and a few "God blesses", I was on my way back into the evening...
So I bought that bear, loaded it into the Firebird and drove it down to an old orphanage along the Delaware river (St Vincents in Tacony). I knew of a neighbor that had grown up there (and he turned out OK), and I became curious about what they do.
I liked what I read regarding the history of the place.So, I get there, and it's a rather modest place...nothing fancy at all. Quiet as a graveyard...no one else around that I can see.
I walk in, a 2 ft tall bear cradled under my arm, and see this humble 8 ft. tree, decorated with handmade ornaments (from the children, no doubt) in what might be their "family room" (this is an older building, so it did look a tad Victorian). And it's still there.
The woman at the front desk asked: "Can I help you, sir?"
I replied: "Yeah, see I have this bear in need of a good home, and was wondering if you have anyone here in mind willing to take him in?"
Well, I didn't know whose eyes were filling up faster...hers or mine (must have been some dust in the air).
She said: "Why yes, I do...thank you so much for your kindness. He will get a good home and love."
I thanked HER and, and after wishing each other a very Merry Christmas and a few "God blesses", I was on my way back into the evening...
Mission accomplished.
I never knew what became of that bear, or even who became the caretaker of it and how they made out in life, only that in my small manner of giving, I gave a lot more than I ever thought.
A parent less child...an orphan who now had "someone" to watch over, to "care for", to talk to when those nights get a little lonely...
What I received that night was something I carry with me to this day...a gift that keeps on giving.
And to think it all began with a bear on a shelf that managed to catch my gaze.
You never know WHERE the Christmas spirit of giving will find you...
All you have to do is trust that it will.
It's who we are...and it's how God made us, I suppose.
Remarkable creatures are we...when we lay aside the pretense and allow ourselves the chance to do good.
Something to think about...and marvel at.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there, America.
(( Only 9 shopping days until Christmas))
I never knew what became of that bear, or even who became the caretaker of it and how they made out in life, only that in my small manner of giving, I gave a lot more than I ever thought.
A parent less child...an orphan who now had "someone" to watch over, to "care for", to talk to when those nights get a little lonely...
What I received that night was something I carry with me to this day...a gift that keeps on giving.
And to think it all began with a bear on a shelf that managed to catch my gaze.
You never know WHERE the Christmas spirit of giving will find you...All you have to do is trust that it will.
It's who we are...and it's how God made us, I suppose.
Remarkable creatures are we...when we lay aside the pretense and allow ourselves the chance to do good.
Something to think about...and marvel at.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there, America.
(( Only 9 shopping days until Christmas))
4 comments:
Dear Bob,
The Wounded Warrior Project is such a fine charity. What a great gift!
And so was the teddy bear--I'm tearing up too!
One year, my sister and I gave my grandmother a Goat. Or, we gave a goat in her name to a struggling family in Africa via Heifer International.
There's a lot of good ones out there. You are running the best Christmas series ever!
Ann
Ann:
I'm so glad you're enjoying a few slices from some of my Christmases past...
I enjoy revisiting them just as much.
And between you, me and the fencepost, I cannot relate that teddy bear story without getting the mysty-eye syndrome.
Sometimes, it's the "spontaneity" to which we're tasked when it comes to our charity, that hits home the most.
Like I say...you NEVER know how far-reaching YOUR charity might be and to how many souls it might touch along the way.
It's Christmas "magic"...I love it.
Hey, thanks so much for taking some time to drop by today.
(sure glad I salted near the "fence")
Stay warm out there.
I think the best acts of kindness are ones that we never know the outcome--so we are not focused on patting ourselves on the back, but rather just the act itself with no reward.
And, I fought ever Civil War battle in the Eastern Theater when I was a child--my mom got tired of giving her feedback as to what logistical and tactical improvements that I could make.
Slam:
Having discovered Sherlock Holmes at an early age, I've always loved a mystery...
And you have said it perfectly.
It's the NOT KNOWING that provides so much of the "wonder" of Christmas.
It's the GOOD kind of mystery.
Would it be that we all carry such thoughts & practices over for the other 11 months...
And I hear 'ya about the civil war battles...LOL.
Dad used to voice his "opinion" as to WHY I had to leave the soldiers on the living room floor AS IS...until the next day when the battle would be "resolved" (after school. mind you).
Dad often had to walk AROUND the "battlefield"...
But at least we weren't outside causing seven other kinds of problems, right?
Thanks a lot for spending some time here today.
Much appreciated.
Stay warm out there.
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