finding in the Unexpected

I had never found someone the PERFECT gift.

I have found good gifts but never "perfect"."

Maybe that's why I have struggled with the concept of "consumerism" the last 5 or so years.

I have a hard time with the gift giving at Christmas. I have felt like the truly important parts of Christmas are drowned by the need for shopping and buying and finding. The sweet sounds of families spending time with one another are muffled by car horns and ripping wrapping paper.

I have been having a Grinch moment in my life for quite sometime.

I KNOW that Christmas is not about gifts and yet,

in passing conversations that is the focus.

All of the "holiday stress" in my life is about the gifts.

I have really struggled this year.

Tonight, 8 days away from Christmas,

I finally found the perfect gift.

The perfect gift

isn't 

a gift that has been picked up just because they are the last person on your list

or

"it's nice enough"

or

the kind of gift that "will do".

It isn't something that you have to buy so you don't offend someone.

It isn't a gift bought to "beat out" the other gifts.

There is no obligation with the perfect gift.

I found a gift that is simple.

It is beautiful.

It has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the person I am giving it to.

I have never found "Christmas" in a package before.

For me, Christmas is a season of giving.

Giving of time

of hope

of love

of peace

of forgiveness

and every once in a while,

 you have the privilege

of giving

someone

something

 unexpected.

and for me,

this year,

 I got the gift of giving someone I love dearly, a present they will truly enjoy.