What Is It All About?

I just watched 2 videos that really touched my heart. One is of a man who offered to be layed off so his work mate wouldn't have to. The man who was able to keep the job has 4 children, the youngest with autism, and it would've been devastating to their family if he lost his job. The man who took the layoff did it out of loyalty and friendship. The other video was of a woman with 4 sons in the military who all came home for the first time in 15 years. They had all been deployed in both Iraq or Afghanistan a total of 7 times amongst them. What heroes all of these men who give so unselfishly.

What comes to mind is what is "giving" really? When we're giving presents, it's really the acknowledgment of the love or friendship we feel for the other person. It's fine to say you're not into the commercialism that the holiday brings. But what do you do that shows the love? For me, it isn't the actual objects received, it's the intention of the gift. I hope that everyone knows that the Christmas spirit isn't limited to Christmastime. I've always thought of it as an opportunity to make the effort to acknowledge others in our lives. There are so many I appreciate from the small things they do that make my life easier, better or brighter. To those who bring the profound. I'm blessed and hope that I let others know that I appreciate them. That I hold them in esteem with great respect and love. Like they say about work, on your deathbed are you going to think about your job or your connections to one other. The same with love and friendship, are you going to remember the presents or the joy you give and receive from the connections to each other. So far I've chosen the connections to others no matter what. And I hope that if I have ever upset or offended anyone along the way that I have righted that situation with apologies and honesty. Afterall, what is it that we have to give each other.

This has been a profound Christmas for my husband and for me. Losing a son is an enormous challenge in looking into our own hearts. When we think of Andrew, we don't think of "things", we think of the connectedness we've had - the love, the joy, the pain, all the other emotions that come with having a child. We can't help notice what it is that others put out towards us. I feel good about what we're putting out into the world, and again feel blessed that there are truly good people who are there for us and with us. This is what it's all about.