The Gift (s)

This blog entry could also be titled "Conversations in Walmart." I would simply, rather not. Walmart gets enough publicity.

On Sunday (January 5th) I was in Walmart, just browsing. I went there specifically for ink cartridges for my printer. 

So, I ended up buying 2 super size printer cartridges, 4 skeins of DMC 321 embroidery floss which is a true red. DMC 666 is aptly named Devil Red. EEK! It kinda gives me the creepers. 

When I was in the craft aisle, a sweet lady and I began a conversation. She was rather sad as she explained how she devoted her life to her husband & raising her children, then even raising a few of her grandchildren.

Her children & grandchildren live within 10 miles of her. Her husband had passed on 2 years ago. During the holidays, as she spoke with tears in her eyes, none of her children or grandchildren visited her, nor called her, nor was there any gift for her from the ones she had dedicated most of her life, to.

How sad is this?

I'm in a similar situation, so, I could relate.

My youngest daughter calls me every Sunday & I absolutely love that. She has a busy life. She makes the effort. That is the key to having a nice tight bond, effort. Effort from both people. It has to be both people making the effort or that dog won't hunt. 

My second youngest, only son & I message each other on a regular basis. I would love a phone call from him at least once a month, yet, I will honor his efforts because that is what you do when you love someone. I will continue to enjoy his messages, the photos he sends me. He and his wife sent the most beautiful candle to me for Christmas. It has a custom label with a photo of them. My son & his wife honored my preference for any candle that is floral or herbal scented. 

Anything that smells like anything besides food!

Candle maker companies are unknowingly tormenting people like me, with their yumminess candles.

I will choose to buy any herbal or floral candle. TYVM.

The candle my son & his wife sent me is scented very beautifully as Fresh Cut English Roses.

YES!

I love it.

Btw ~ I have 4 precious children who I love so much.

As I was in the crafts aisle in Walmart, there was so much I wanted to hand make, so much I wanted to buy, then, customize for my children. The woman I was having a conversation with, talked me down off of that ledge with kindness, with understanding.

Most of the time, when I have hand made or put a great deal of effort into gifts for my children, I get less gratitude than I would like. 

What would be the ideal?

Glad you asked!

Ideally, I would like some kind of communication to let me know they received my gifts that I mailed to them. There are so many ways to communicate, there is no valid excuse for this.

I would like a bit of feedback. What did they like? What did they not like? What would they want more of, or less. 

I will refrain from disclosing further details out of courtesy.

My heart wants so much to shower all 4 of my precious children with love, with gifts, with happiness in giving to them all that my heart wants to give.

Most people respond well to appreciation from others who they love. Being appreciated feels so good, so heart warming.

I will just say that I feel the lack of appreciation. 

Dang, it smarts!

As much as my mind was concocting so many precious gifts I could create and mail or give, in person. Future Christmas gifts, Birthday gifts, Easter gifts. Just Because gifts. As much as my heart was so full of love to overflowing with the desire to give. The sting of the lack of appreciation was palpable.

I just said, "Nah".

Doing this went against who I am, how I love to be generous with loved ones. It feels foreign to my personal nature, yet, the sting was gone after I just said, "Nah."

Whilst paying for my printer ink cartridges, I saw the lady who I had spoken with earlier, at the self checkout.

She smiled at me, said, "Good job!"

That was truly appreciation.