What gifts keep on giving and how do you judge that?
To me, a gift that keeps on giving is a gift that impacts your life positively over time. For example, years ago my mother-in-law gave me a beautiful salad bowl and salad tongs--I've used that bowl and tongs hundreds of times. They always look beautiful and wonderfully hold a big, colorful nutritious salad when loved ones visit. That's one example of a gift that keeps on giving. Another is the time my aunt and uncle took me to Miami when I was 16--it was my first plane trip and it is a memory that I think back on time and again in life. So gifts that keep on giving provide us with happy events and/or happy memories. These gifts are gifts we may want to give to others as well because we may want to pay the good feelings and wonderful items forward.
Recently, my sons and my dad exchanged one of those gifts that keep on giving. They all met up and took one of my dad's favorite walks to the second highest perch at Quabbin Reservoir's Soapstone Hill. Dad gave my sons the gift of experiencing this beautiful place as well as all my dad's stories related to the Quabbin before it was built, while it was being built, and the many hikes, picnics and animal sitings there after the human-made reservoir was completed. My sons gave my dad the gift of camaraderie, spirited fun and respect throughout the walk--due to time, jobs and distance, my dad doesn't get to see my sons often so that time together was a valued gift. We have a family history of wonderful hikes, so to hike with one another is truly a gift that keeps on giving.
As the holiday season takes root, I'm thinking about the kinds of gifts I can give to others--what gifts will keep on giving? Like most people out there, I love the idea of being a Santa Claus who creates and gives gifts, and I want those gifts to have long time value as much as possible. Onward.