Thought for the day

This morning as i was checking my email, a "Dear Abbey" article appeared on the yahoo homepage.  i often read these "advice" columns because they're fun.  Sometimes they give great advice, sometimes it's awful.  But, it is usually an enjoyable read.  i clicked on this morning's article and was inundated with pop up ads.  Then, and this was the Chicago Sun Times website, they wanted me to take some quiz about my movie watching habits before they would let me look at the article.  It's Sunday morning.  i'm having my coffee.  i don't have time for that.  So, needless to say, i did not keep going and simply went forward checking my email.

Anyway, sometimes just the title of an article gets me to thinking about things.  i know, that is the whole point of titles...to intrigue the reader and entice them.  The title of this Dear Abbey was "Grandma rejects homemade gifts from 6 year old" or something to that akin.  Now, taking into account that i did not read the article itself, only the title, and do not know the circumstances with which Grandma rejected these gifts, it made me very sad for both grandma and her grandson.  For him, he probably worked very hard on these gifts and put a lot of his heart into them.  And for grandma, she probably either has too much going on to realize the effect her actions have or has not really established much of a relationship with her grandchild.

Home made gifts are the best.  i think about all of the ones i made for Grandmother, even if it was just drawing a picture for her.  As far as i know, she kept them.  And if she didn't, i was not any worse off not knowing. But, i do know that she kept some because i have them still.  A woven trash can that i made for her in camp.  A wooden box with a duck on it i made for her.  Several pictures i drew.  She kept them and i have them and i love that.  And i try to do the same.  Our nieces and nephews have done drawings for us as birthday presents or just as something nice for us.  i keep them displayed on the fridge for awhile and then tuck them away for safe keeping (once the fridge gets too full of stuff on it lol)

Bottom line, i think it's important to appreciate when someone takes the time to make something for you.  Gifts like that mean more and it makes the giver feel wonderful when their hard work is enjoyed.  Even in college, all the mixed tapes we made for each other were great gifts....and you knew that someone took actual time in making it.  And there is always such hope in the eyes of a child when they hand you something they made specifically for you.  Acknowledgement and appreciation are the key ingredients here.

Holding onto these gifts is not necessary, but holding onto the joy and the memories is.

Cheers