Christmas is my favorite time of year. The month leading up to it (now it seems like two) is also a good time. The main reasons I enjoy the holiday season is the general atmosphere (people seem to be in better spirits) and giving people gifts. I enjoy the looks on people's faces when they receive gifts. Joy fills their faces naturally. It feels good to see that happen.
As you might have guessed, I tend to overdo it at Christmas, especially for Susan. The present buying starts early in the year and continues all the way to Christmas Eve. It's so bad sometimes where I buy her the same things and find out during the wrapping process. Not the exact item, but similar items. Oh well, I just save it for the following Christmas.
One of the things we start doing around Christmas is to begin creating our lists. A list for what we want and one for the people we plan on buying gifts for. Usually, I try to purchase something that the other person wouldn't purchase for themselves or something they cannot afford. Makes it special to be able to give them something that would surprise. Something unexpected and possibly unique. It works best depending on how well you know the other person. Knowing what they love and getting them a present like that. Of course, you could just ask the other person and find out what they want and get them that. I usually buy Susan what she asks for and other things I assume she will like based on what I have observed over the past year.
There's also the memories over the years of favorite gifts received at Christmas. Maybe it was a surprise, something you had asked for all year, or it has sentimental value based on who you received the gift from. Those are happy memories.
People that come into our lives are gifts too. Some last with us for a short time while others remain with us for many years. Blessing our lives. Sometimes, we even get to marry one.
That's the way it is with Susan. I know I don't say it very often to her face (like I should), but she is the best gift I have ever received. Eight and a half years later and going strong. Don't know where I would be right now without her in my life. My guess is my life would not be as good. She has been my support through the hardest of times and my biggest cheerleader in the best of times. I try with her, but will admit, I feel like she does more for me than I do for her. There are things that I would never have ever considered much less done if she weren't around in my life. Going for long walks, going to India, traveling around the country, doing this blog, even losing weight are all things she has encouraged me on. A lot of this stuff that I wouldn't even think about. Praying and doing prayer groups and persevering when people didn't come. That was all her.
She teaches me and makes me think. She has taught me how to love and be loved. It's not all about having the right answers but just being there to listen. We make time to talk to each other (she is better at it than me), be silly, and do things together. Like going places and spending quality time in her presence. Through all the highs and lows, I am a better man thanks to God putting her in my life. God knows what I need, and he knew I needed her. (Don't know what he was thinking giving me to her - maybe she needed to learn lots of patience?)
That's what the best gifts do. They make the most impact in our lives. Usually, the best gifts are not tangible. Lessons learned, gifts revealed, and words spoken into our lives.
Susan is a gift from God to me. Lord knows I never earned or deserved it. But, she is in my life as big of a blessing today (probably more) than on the day of our first date.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" James 1:17.
P.S. Susan, as great of a gift as you are to me, it doesn't mean you shouldn't buy me any Christmas presents. I'll send you my list later.
As you might have guessed, I tend to overdo it at Christmas, especially for Susan. The present buying starts early in the year and continues all the way to Christmas Eve. It's so bad sometimes where I buy her the same things and find out during the wrapping process. Not the exact item, but similar items. Oh well, I just save it for the following Christmas.
One of the things we start doing around Christmas is to begin creating our lists. A list for what we want and one for the people we plan on buying gifts for. Usually, I try to purchase something that the other person wouldn't purchase for themselves or something they cannot afford. Makes it special to be able to give them something that would surprise. Something unexpected and possibly unique. It works best depending on how well you know the other person. Knowing what they love and getting them a present like that. Of course, you could just ask the other person and find out what they want and get them that. I usually buy Susan what she asks for and other things I assume she will like based on what I have observed over the past year.
There's also the memories over the years of favorite gifts received at Christmas. Maybe it was a surprise, something you had asked for all year, or it has sentimental value based on who you received the gift from. Those are happy memories.
People that come into our lives are gifts too. Some last with us for a short time while others remain with us for many years. Blessing our lives. Sometimes, we even get to marry one.
That's the way it is with Susan. I know I don't say it very often to her face (like I should), but she is the best gift I have ever received. Eight and a half years later and going strong. Don't know where I would be right now without her in my life. My guess is my life would not be as good. She has been my support through the hardest of times and my biggest cheerleader in the best of times. I try with her, but will admit, I feel like she does more for me than I do for her. There are things that I would never have ever considered much less done if she weren't around in my life. Going for long walks, going to India, traveling around the country, doing this blog, even losing weight are all things she has encouraged me on. A lot of this stuff that I wouldn't even think about. Praying and doing prayer groups and persevering when people didn't come. That was all her.
She teaches me and makes me think. She has taught me how to love and be loved. It's not all about having the right answers but just being there to listen. We make time to talk to each other (she is better at it than me), be silly, and do things together. Like going places and spending quality time in her presence. Through all the highs and lows, I am a better man thanks to God putting her in my life. God knows what I need, and he knew I needed her. (Don't know what he was thinking giving me to her - maybe she needed to learn lots of patience?)
That's what the best gifts do. They make the most impact in our lives. Usually, the best gifts are not tangible. Lessons learned, gifts revealed, and words spoken into our lives.
Susan is a gift from God to me. Lord knows I never earned or deserved it. But, she is in my life as big of a blessing today (probably more) than on the day of our first date.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" James 1:17.
P.S. Susan, as great of a gift as you are to me, it doesn't mean you shouldn't buy me any Christmas presents. I'll send you my list later.
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