ORIGINAL POST DATE: 12/27/08
An invited guest who came to our house to celebrate
Christmas with us last year brought our girls the train set depicted in this video. Of course, the thought she put into getting our girls something to enjoy playing with was ver sweet. She is a lady of limited income, and I'm sure the train set was something she could barely afford. It was one of those inexpensive toy sets that are sold at dollar type stores around town; they look really good and ready to create fun from the picture on the box, but when put together, their deficiencies are revealed almost instantly. My husband jokingly said of the train " thebest China can make". So, while I hold no blame to my friend for her most generous gift, and would never tell her the train found its way to the trash can the day after Christmas, because it wasn't even functional enough to give away to a needy children's charity, I do see that there is a lesson in here to be learned.
We all seem to be obsessed this time of year with having the grandest Christmas ever. We go through a myriad of traditions and preparations in order to make the day perfect. We try to outdo ourselves on the gifts we give, and the food we prepare. We put out the Christmas lights, erect the tree, put up the decorations, all in an effort to create one magical moment that will live in our memories forever.
But all in all, it's just cheap packaging, wrapping paper that covers the way we truly are the rest of the year. Often we are just like the cheap Chinese train, acting as though we are able to be superhuman, but running backwards, and often way off the track. We feed ourselves junk, get little sleep, and stress about nearly everything. Like the train, we are not put together very well, and we are ready to fall apart at any minute.
My suggestion for Christmas this year; have a quality one. Don't worry about the gift, but rather about the exchange between you and the recipient. Make love your gift. Spend time with someone from whom you've been apart. Let them know how much you love them and appreciate them. Play with your kids. Snuggle your hubby instead of pushing him away. Visit a lonely elderly neighbor and bring her some cookies and tea. Let her play with your kids. Give someone in the grocery store a helping hand. Hand the homeless guy the five bucks you know you have in your wallet even if he does go buy some booze with it. You'll feel good about yourself.
The quality of your Christmas doesn't depend on the wrappings and trimmings. It's what's inside the box that counts.
Merry Christmas everyone!!
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