This Christmas I had one physical gift to open. It is from my sister, Ali, and is a digital pen. I cannot wait to play with it today. Are you shocked? Are you thinking “Only one gift?” in something akin to horror? Please don’t, because after my one physical gift I sat and reviewed all the other gifts I have received. The ones that keep giving every moment of every day.
The gifts of friendship and support that I have received this past year from people who started as strangers and are now family. This gift has been one that would remind of you of the russian nesting dolls. You open one and find another and another. The joy and comfort continue to open to you. My humble thanks to this people can never express what they have opened to me in my life. My new sisters are a constant source of joy, comfort, love and knowledge. The men in my life are a source of what is missing, my younger brother. Be these men new-found brothers or brothers in arms of Sean, they continue to bless with me their presence.
Another gift is my therapist. His way of thinking and pushing me is a blessing. His honesty opens my eyes daily and I thank him for that. He will never read this, but I am putting it out here anyway.
The gift of this blog and the ability to express myself and share my story. This is a very selfish gift, but I hope that I may help other people with it. Anyone who reads this and says “I am not alone.” When that happens, and it has, the gift of this blog is ten-fold greater.
My other gifts are my parents. To speak to them, love them and to know that they love me in their way. There is joy there. I just have to be more open to it.
I have the gift of memories. Memories of Christmas past with my lil brother, friends and other relatives you have gone their way. Either to different paths in life or to the great unknown. I have sat and reflected on the gift that each of them has given me by being in my life. I am so grateful for them all.
The last gift is the gift of life. If you had asked me in June of this year if I would see Christmas 2010 I would have looked at you with disbelief and yet, here I am. It has been a rough year of growth. Growth is often difficult as you are stretching yourself. This life is worth stretching for. It can wear you down but when it does it is often to help you reemerge in a stronger place.
Thank you for allowing me to share my gifts with you. May your gifts be as priceless and full of wonder as mine.
