Imagine saving money, a lot of money, for two semesters and then spending it in less than a week's time to buy presents. Imagine how it feels to have saved so much and spend nothing for yourself. Imagine what it feels to receive a gift every Christmas and then suddenly, one Christmas, nothing. Just imagine.
When I think really hard about how much I spent on presents alone and haven't bought any for myself or for Alex, a sudden rush of disappointment envelopes me. To top that off, I haven't seen a gift with my name on it under the tree! For a kid who's used to receiving gifts every Christmas, it feels awful.
But, let us look back to the time when I was shopping for presents. I really didn't have time to think about myself. All I thought of was "I think (insert name here) will be happy with this" and impulsively bought that/those gift(s). I spent sleepless nights (I'm a nocturnal person) wrapping gifts with an increasing feeling of excitement after each present was wrapped. Eaach day, I would bug my mom to open the gift I have for her (of course she said wait). I was more excited than those who will receive my gifts! Just the thought of how they will react after seeing what I got them for Christmas really makes me jittery. By and by it really didn't matter whether I'll receive any this season, heck I'm not even excited of getting any!
I guess that's one of the essentials of this season. It is when one has to learn what "selflessness" really means and feels. It is when one discovers the joy of giving and seeing others happy with what you gave them.
This Christmas, I am playing Santa Claus. I guess it comes with growing up. After all, I already had my share of gifts for the past seventeen years. Now it's my turn to make the little ones' holliday special.
The joy of Christmas gifts are for kids, the joy of giving Christmas gifts are for older folks.
When I think really hard about how much I spent on presents alone and haven't bought any for myself or for Alex, a sudden rush of disappointment envelopes me. To top that off, I haven't seen a gift with my name on it under the tree! For a kid who's used to receiving gifts every Christmas, it feels awful.
But, let us look back to the time when I was shopping for presents. I really didn't have time to think about myself. All I thought of was "I think (insert name here) will be happy with this" and impulsively bought that/those gift(s). I spent sleepless nights (I'm a nocturnal person) wrapping gifts with an increasing feeling of excitement after each present was wrapped. Eaach day, I would bug my mom to open the gift I have for her (of course she said wait). I was more excited than those who will receive my gifts! Just the thought of how they will react after seeing what I got them for Christmas really makes me jittery. By and by it really didn't matter whether I'll receive any this season, heck I'm not even excited of getting any!
I guess that's one of the essentials of this season. It is when one has to learn what "selflessness" really means and feels. It is when one discovers the joy of giving and seeing others happy with what you gave them.
This Christmas, I am playing Santa Claus. I guess it comes with growing up. After all, I already had my share of gifts for the past seventeen years. Now it's my turn to make the little ones' holliday special.
The joy of Christmas gifts are for kids, the joy of giving Christmas gifts are for older folks.
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