Giving in the Name of….

As we get older and our families move towards becoming more established (and as stable as we can lay claim to), we are realizing that it is getting increasingly difficult to find suitable presents for birthdays and holidays, often times resorting to presence as our presents.

This past Christmas, we decided to replace the always popular (yet sometimes risky) gift exchange game with a time of reflection and giving. Each family was provided the opportunity to share where they were spending dollars and time to assist others, in lieu of trying to remember how many times a prized gift had been stolen.

We learned a lot about each other, and our passions, some surprises and some not so surprising…including pledges to charities that supported groups with two, and even four legs…

So, as we reflect on what have done in 2020, and what we intend on doing in 2021, possibly in spite of the world around us, we stop and ponder…

Who, or what, do you think of when you are giving? Is it in memory of a love one that is no longer with us? Is it something that was special to them? Do you hope to eradicate the world of a disease that took a loved one from you?

Truth be told, my friends…it is the giving that counts, and the reasons are yours to keep or yours to share.