The Perfect Gift
As I walk aimlessly from aisle to aisle amongst the mob of motivated shoppers I feel a sense of suffocation. Row after row of gifts and treats all which seem better than the last. You see I’ve played this game before. Year after year searching for the “perfect” gift. Christmas morning comes the joy is immense, the excitement palpable as the “perfect” gift is opened. High pitched voices bubble over as they shrill “Thank you mom and dad I always wanted this!” Then as quickly as the “perfect” gift is opened it is set aside to open the next “perfect” gift. The cycle is repeated through the morning. The dust settles after the minutes it took to unveil months of preparation. The months go by as the “perfect” gift begins to collect dust. The cycle culminates just prior to the next Christmas as the “perfect” gift is donated to the local thrift store to make room for this years batch of “perfect” gifts.
Contrast the above with the encounter the @thetravelingshepards captured of @staceyhofman9 truly giving the “perfect” gift to our beautiful young patient shortly after her surgery. Giving a truly perfect gift comes not from a place of material well being, but from a place of genuine love and appreciation. The gift then becomes only a token backed by a promise to love and serve the recipient. Let us love more and lust less. Let us truly look for ways to make a difference and bring joy to others. May we all find ways to give truly perfect gifts. #gift