Grateful Giving

It's no secret that this is my absolute favorite time of year. I mean have you seen my Instagram? One of mine and Hubs' advent activities is to shop for a toy to donate for another day on our calendar and we bought items for the family that my campus adopted for Christmas. On the drive home, I was telling Hubs about the family and the things they had requested. They weren't toys and gadgets. It was clothes, shoes, organizational items for the kids, and everything needed for the new baby they are expecting. And all of a sudden I just started crying. Hubs was so confused.

When I could finally speak again, I explained to him that this is the best part of the holiday season for me. Giving. Especially to those that are in need. I told him that I feel so blessed that we are able to give, that we have enough to help people give a Christmas to their kids who would have otherwise not had one, to make things even the tiniest bit easier for a family that is doing their best to survive.

Giving without receiving anything material in return is a concept that many have forgotten. What people also forget, is that you can get something back. Appreciation. Love. Joy. Kindness. The satisfaction that you have made someone's day just a bit brighter.

Today, and throughout this time of year, I am grateful that we have the means to give back to our community, to help others who need it.

What's your favorite thing about the holidays?

Giving

I was browsing Pinterst the other day when I ca,e across the quote above, and I immediately thought, "YES! Why can't people understand this?"

There are few people I got out of my way for, but when I do someone will question me. "Why are you doing that? What have they done for you?" Most of the time I can't really give them a good answer other than "I don't know, it just felt like something I wanted to do for them." And I've always wondered why people thing I need a real reason to do things for people.

I love surprising my friends with cards or a goody box, for no reason other than I was thinking about them. And if I've seen something I know a friend has been looking for, or said they wanted (and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg, sorry guys) I'll buy it for them and mail it out. 

I love buying little things for the residents where I work. They don't get much entertainment or decorations and I want to change that. It makes me sad to just watch them sleep all day or just sit around watching tv because they have nothing to do. Yesterday we made paper chains to decorate the main areas for spring.

What sucks though, is that I can never find anything special to do or buy for my husband. I mean, other than cooking, letting him take up most of the bed, and making sure he has gum to take to work. We buy the things we want  or need (within reason) when we want or need them. And most of the things he really wants are those BIG purchases we have to plan for or that I don't know what I'm looking for (like a new computer for him. I know he wants to build it himself, so how do I "surprise" him with that?). 

Suggestions? (He reads my blog, so maybe he'll give me some suggestions of his own!)

I love this quality about myself. I'm grateful to be a giving person because the joy that I can bring about is awesome and the best gift anyone could give me.


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