Thankful for What I Do Have

A reader made an anonymous comment on my post 'Tis the Season that made me think "Am I forgetting what this season is all about? Am I ungrateful?" I think the answer is "yes and no."

When you have a kid it is easy to get wrapped up in the gift giving aspect of Christmas. But, there is a lesson to be taught with the idea of giving a gift. Gifts as a reward, gifts as a thank you, gifts as a "just because I felt like it". I think sometimes people get so wrapped up in the "there is more to gift giving" that they also forget that there is something about gift giving that is important. I don't give just to give for givings sake. You give for a reason.

Am I ungrateful for what I do have ... never!

I am so thankful to have a good job that can pay my bills which allows me to have a roof over my head, food on my plates, gas in my car, clothes on my back. I am so thankful for it that I work as hard as I can which means long hours, stress, and time away from wanting to indulge in much more fun things in life. I worked hard in school so that I could have a good job. I work hard at this blog in hopes it can bring in some extra pocket money.

I am so thankful for my health which allows me to work hard at my job and gives me the energy to be a good mom of a daughter I am so thankful to have. I take care of myself by eating healthy, taking vitamins, not abusing my body by filling it with toxins, going to yoga, meditating. I keep work out my brain by reading, writing, resting, playing, learning new things, challenging myself.

I am thankful for my family. I love them and they love me back. I support them, spend time with them, listen to them, learn from them, teach them and give back to them.

I am thankful for living where I live. California is not an easy place to have a life. It is expensive here. It is stressful here. But, I love it here. I work hard to stay here so that my daughter can be close to her family.

I thank my lucky stars for my friends who have stuck by my side no matter how far I have pushed them away and for my new friends that have welcomed me into their heart and Google Readers. I know that they would do anything to help me and I them.

When I write "Giving because there is someone who is in more need than you" does not define something I purchased in a store, wrapped in generic Christmas paper and hoped for a thank you note later. Giving a gift encompasses many things - dinner to someone at a shelter, a toy to Toys for Tots, a hug or smile to someone who needs it, socks to someone who is cold, company to someone who is lonely, time to play imaginary princess games.

When I wrote that I hope Santa could give me the gift I need this year I did not mean something someone can purchase in a store and wrap it up in generic Christmas paper. It is a gift that will keep on giving spiritually. It is a gift that will lift me up which in turn will lift up those around me. It is a gift that can't be held in your hand ... it is a gift that is held in the heart.