Porthole

Not all gifts come in a box gift-wrapped

30 DBC: "Write about gifting! What’s on your list? What do you have your eye on for yourself and what do you want to gift to your family and friends? Homemade or store bought? What was the best gift you ever received?"

On Black Friday this prompt may assume that I celebrate Christmas and that I'm into the Christmas giving frenzy. I'm not.

However,

as a child I was so upset about not getting simple gifts I wanted that I tuned out. By age 13 I refused to tell my family anything. I didn't mind giving... although I doubt I was totally in tune with what anyone else wanted either. I just wanted nothing from my family. I still don't.

I have no list for others to give me unless...

1. you want to gift me $50,000 for an around the world cruise with Road Scholar. That I would accept. Or in lieu of that, $50k slush fund so I can fly "comfort" instead of "economy" and have more flexibility over transportation and places to stay, et cetera.

2. you can help me get published... easier said than done. I need an agent not ideas.

So... a simple gift from friends... like a postcard or hug is sufficient. Like the postcard I received from Petra (WDC).

I used to give gifts. People actually thought I was generous. I no longer am. Too wounded. But I have given gifts when traveling.

Two years ago I gave people small gifts (fragrant soap, Evening in Missoula tea) to various people on my travels in hand-painted paper bags I bought in Costa Rica. When I went back to Belgrade Serbia the owner of the hostel "Home Sweet Home', Damir, told me sweetly:

"I think of you every morning when I put on my underwear."

Needless to say... he must have put my gift in his underwear drawer. The tea has lavender in it and maybe the soap did too!

This trip I didn't travel with gifts. My bad. Token gifts really do matter when they brighten up someone's day.

I don't know that homemade or store bought matter as much as the intent. I bought owl socks for my friend Bryan. Cost me 25 cents at the secondhand store. He was ecstatic.

As for gifts I've received. Being taken in by Donna in Oklahoma when I had no place to stay is probably one of the kindest gifts I have ever received. Not all gifts come in a box gift-wrapped.

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