Earlier this week, we shipped out some Holiday Love and Cheer boxes to our friends who live many miles away. In the past, these are the friends who we tend to neglect because of distance. After receiving a recent care package from a long distance friend, I realized the importance of these "just because" gifts. This year, I was adamant. I didn't care how busy we got, we were going to send Holiday Love and Cheer boxes to our faraway friends.
On Monday, we sent the first load of boxes...
Since then, I have received personal messages from all of the recipients. I have no shame in admitting, I got teary-eyed with each message extending gratitude. I read them all to Lisa.
The one that tugged at my heartstrings the most was a gentleman who lives on the other end of the U.S. He sent me a private message with a photo of our box he received. I replied back. He sent a response asking if the contents inside were perishable. I told him all of the items inside would be safe and sound until Christmas. He could open the gift now or wait.
His response was...
"Ok. We will wait 'till Christmas 'cause that's all we got to open this year..."
He ended his message with a "lol."
But, I didn't laugh.
In the middle of telling Lisa about our private message exchange, I got choked up.
Tears ran down my face.
This was an eye-opener for me.
We need to do this more often.
The other day I published a blog post that explained why Lisa and I don't exchange Christmas gifts with each other. In short, it's ridiculous to give each other a pile of gifts just because it's Christmas and that's what we're supposed to do.
Instead, we buy each other "just because" gifts throughout the year.
I need to extend that philosophy to our sweet friends who live miles and miles away. Throughout the year.
I know all too well how much these "just because" gifts mean.
And I know it'll have the same impact on the people we sent Holiday Love and Cheer packages to.
I will make time for this.
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