As October is just a week away and I’m approaching my forty-fifth birthday in a few weeks, the idea of Christmas is on my mind. I don’t know if it’s the retail displays of Halloween decorations and candy alongside Christmas decorations or the idea I need to start thinking of what to get people. We are all of an age where we really don’t “need” anything. We have several friends we just exchange inexpensive, heartfelt gifts with and get together for some holiday cheer. My folks and I decided years ago to exchange birthday gifts and forego holiday gifts. My mom said they’d rather do something with my husband and me later on than exchange holiday gifts. That was fine with me. The gift of someone’s time is so much more valuable than anything else.
It is often hard to figure out what the game plan is. One year some family members want to exchange gifts for the holidays and another year they don’t. I’m torn whether to get a gift or not. I try to have candy and other basic gifts ready in the event I’m caught off guard.
My husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday this year. Not that I couldn’t make a list of things I’d like to have; it was just the idea. I have him in my life and material things don’t seem to matter that much. We are happy and healthy, we go sleep at night in a nice warm bed together, we have plenty to eat, we have jobs, we have fun together, we like each other as much as we love one another. We decided to have a birthday gathering with no gifts, just good food, good company, and music. A gathering of the people we love to celebrate seemed like something much more valuable than anything else that comes in a bag or box. My husband said I made it easy for him this year. No gift—just a celebration.
A friend of ours has said on various occasions to pick out something we’d like to have when he dies. We’d rather have as much time as we can with him and his wife while they are alive. How could a material object equal the time spent climbing on his mountain cutting down a Christmas tree or just the warmth of genuine friendship. We have laughed so much and nothing compares to that. We have shared so much. Aside from the gift of friendship, these particular friends introduced me and my husband, the love of my life. They were standing up with us when we exchanged vows. Such memories and moments are priceless.
Now I wonder why I am worried about the holidays. I have and receive the greatest gifts anyone could ever ask for. I have the love and friendship of those who mean the most to me.
I guess I can think about what Halloween candy to buy and what to wear to our birthday celebration coming up! It’s always easy to say what I’m grateful for come Thanksgiving time, too.
