Did you get everything?
When it comes to birthdays and holidays, we have a common tradition of giving our loved ones gifts. Now, the last time you had one
of these events in your life was there any disappointment or did you get everything? During your life, and having expectations, either getting surprised or experiencing disappointment in not getting that something special…well these events made you…you!
What was the event, Birthday, Christmas, or Graduation? There was one of these events where either you were greatly surprised or greatly disappointed. Which was it? Who were you with, what was the occasion, and what was your expectation? Just exactly what was the thing you were expecting and didn’t get? I would bet that you have had one of these events in your life and you’ll remember rather quickly when and where it happened.
There were times growing up that us boys had very few Christmas gifts under the tree, and some years we were happy to get just some new shoes or a new winter coat from Santa. There were no expectations of the toys that a lot of our childhood friends received. Bags of fruit and nuts were welcome, as these items were scarce during winter months. Usually, there was a stick of sassafras or peppermint candy tucked in the fruit that was an added treat. There was never any shortage of love from our Mom as she worked hard to make sure we had a roof over our heads. But there was this one Christmas where all three of us got airplane models to build and a birthday that we all got a brand-new bicycle. These were special moments, indeed, that exceeded any expectations we had at that young age.
I do have one reminder gift that is very special to me that I’ve kept over all these years. I keep it right at my office desk. It’s a simple gold Cross pen and pencil set that my mother gave me when I graduated from University. You see, I paid my own way through school, often working full-time and going to class full-time. It was tough, but I made it. At my graduation, she handed me this simple leather box. Both the pen and pencil are engraved with my name on them. I didn’t expect anything other than her attendance at the graduation ceremony. So the Cross set was a complete and unexpected surprise. I keep them with me as a reminder of what hard work it was and that I crossed the finish line.
So what was the event? What was the gift? What made it special? Who was it from? No matter the memory, it’s part of what makes you…
you!