Among Friends

[Luv2Watch]

Christmas in July has got me thinking about all of the money we spend on gifts each year.

So many presents we give and receive soon become "forgettable" while a select few standout and become true treasures that we would never want to part with. 

Maybe you could share which gift meant the most to you and why you value it so much.

Maybe you were the recipient, or maybe you were the receiver.

Here's one that I'd like to share:

A dear friend of mine had a very turbulent relationship with her judgemental and harsh mother. Even as a grown woman with her own husband and children, my friend was constantly seeking her mother's approval and love, but her attempts were always met with disdain and coldness.

One day, I gave my friend a sterling silver bracelet with a 'key" charm on it along with a tiny card on which I wrote one of my favorite sayings:

               "Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket."

My friend sobbed relentlessly when she opened the present and read the card.

She has since moved to another state, but she tells me that gift of the "key" and the quote gave her strength and perspective and helped her make a mental shift that she had never been able to do before. She rose above her daily struggles with her mom and realized how much time and emotion she had been wasting trying to please someone who could never be pleased.

I think giving her that gift gave me more joy than it gave her to receive it.

[On It]

i was a young adult visiting my grandmother one summer afternoon. She took me into her bedroom, opened her jewelry box, and took out her original gold wedding band. (My grandfather had given her a beautiful diamond band some years before.) She said that she wanted me to have it. I was stunned as I was the middle grandchild out of five. There were other granddaughters both younger and older. I still cherish her wedding ring knowing she chose to give it to me.

[on the bay]

One of mine was when I was about 5 and my mother gave me a plastic watch that I was thrilled with. I had wanted one. And then right after that-a cowgirl outfit with white cowgirl boots! I was in Christmas ecstasy!

And one year my father surprised my sister and me on Christmas morning-2 little kittens! A black one for my sister and a white one for me💞

We loved them for many years.

On the receiving end, my 3 children and I hadn't seen each other all together for awhile and shared Christmas together and all gave each other the same themed books-

especially after many hard times it was a treasured memory for us.

[I am still oxox]

For my 9th birthday I got an Amythest heart surrounded by gold lace, I am 66 and still have it, it is my birthstone and I still treasure it 

[candyagain]

My mother gave me her diamond and platinum wedding set. The engagement ring had been my grandmother's. Very special gift. I'll give it to my daughter and then eventually my granddaughter God willing.

[Foxxee]

I received some very nice gifts in the past, but the one I will never forget was the 26 inch bicycle my parents gave me for Christmas when I was 10 y/o.

I asked for one several years earlier, but my Mother said I was too young...my feet wouldn't touch the ground.  I didn't stop asking, though, and two years later there it was sitting by the tree on Christmas morning. Yes, it was cold outside, but I went outside to try it out.  I remember holding on to a tree trunk to steady by balance.  

My feet still didn't touch the ground, so I learned to quickly jump down after I put on the brakes.  No one taught me how to ride.  Of course, I was very wobbly at first, never fell off of it, though, and soon became a master at riding that bike.  I did grow into it eventually and found bike riding friends.  

To this day, I wish I had kept that bike, but a few years ago, the bike manufacturer released an exact replica in a limited edition, something Schwinn and Columbia do every so often.  I couldn't believe it, of all the years and models of bikes that were made,  they chose my year and model bike. 

Yes, mine has a special designated parking spot in the garage.  Even though, I don't ride that often, it brings to mind many happy memories.  

[RedTop]

Christmas 1962, a personalized bible from my aunt and uncle.   

[luvmybeetle]

I have received many meaningful gifts in my time, but have just received something from my daughter that means a lot to me.  We have been in controversy over the pandemic over the last 1 1/2 years.  She won't get the vaccine because she has different beliefs than I.  So the other day I received a package from her as she returned from a visit to Minneapolis (Mall of America).  It was a quartz bracelet with a rose gold plate with my favorite bible verse. (Be Still and Know That I am God)  It meant so much to me and I will never give it up for anything.  

[Glittergal]

My boyfriend (now husband) loved my amazing grandmother.  He spent a long time tracking down her long lost soulmate and reunited them at the nursing home where he stayed for Valentine's Day.  It was such a touching reunion, and I will never forget the look of happiness on both of their faces that day.  Their eyes lit up with emotion, and it's the best gift to remember that moment.

[roxxy1]

My children are my most treasured gifts.