The Gift

We’re not good at routine in my household.  I pretty much live my life putting out fire after fire and meeting obligations on the fly.  There’s always too much to do, not enough time to do it, and something popping up to derail any plans made.

Saturday night after rushing to the 4:30 p.m. Mass where I served as Lector, we went shopping for our parish's Annual Toy Mass and for my former employer’s Toys for Tots program.

Money’s been extremely tight this year.  It won’t be a grandiose Christmas, and the new TV that I thought I could purchase to replace the one where there's halos of green around figures in the left-hand side of the screen isn't in the budget.  I’ve set aside some money for presents, and I’ve even gently told people that exchanging presents wasn’t really something that I could afford to do this holiday season.

However, on my shoestring budget where my checkbook balance has been hovering in the twenty-dollar range between my weekly paychecks, I still budgeted for our charitable donations. It was one tradition I would not let slip away because of the recent avalanche of financial obligations. I’ve cut out all of my little luxuries and special treats for myself, including switching to generic items where possible.  However, no matter what, I buy Crest. 

In the store we selected some games, a Barbie doll, and clothes for the Barbie because what good is a Barbie without some change of outfits?  Emily helped me select the toys; never once did she mention getting something for herself.  Her birthday just passed, and she’s still glowing from her American Girl palomino and equestrienne outfit that my friend lavishly purchased.

In her purse she pulled out the gift card from her birthday.  “Here, Mom, use this for the kids.  I have enough, and Jesus told us we should share.”  I hugged her close as my eyes filled up. As she handed me the card I told her that when her hand is open giving to others it is open to receive.  “You can’t receive with a clenched fist—remember that.”

“I know, Mom, when you give you receive a gift, too.  The gift of giving.”

Amen.