Overly grainy photo y'all
We both laughed when I read the
statement on the paper bag: Please enjoy
this extraordinary act of generosity. In our circle of friends, I am not
bragging when I say that I am the giver among us all. When February rolled in,
they have begun asking me questions like “What
gift do you want?”, “Are you sure you don’t want anything specific?”, “This is
your last chance, what book do you want to receive?” I can’t suppress my laughter when a friend
told me how they talked about what to get me, or how to make up for what I did
for their birthdays. Years ago, maybe I would have asked them to spoil me with
material things, but maybe it comes with growing up that we learn to value more
of the people around us rather than the gifts they give. But I do appreciate
the efforts they went through to reciprocate what I’ve done for their birthdays
(a letter with sincere words is more than enough for me).
Gift giving is something that
comes easy to me. Maybe it’s something that I inherited from my mother. Or a
trait that I can no longer shake off. I tried not do it once or twice, but I
soon realized that giving gifts is one of my strongest love language. Although
once, a scary thought dangled within me. What
if I no longer have to offer? What if companionship and time is all I can
offer, would that be enough? This year, I found out that the answer to that
is yes. We’re growing up, and sometimes being together is enough. Spending time
with each other amidst life busyness is enough. Time itself is a gift. Being
there for each other is a gesture that says: thank you. I’d like to keep you. I’m
here to stay.
-
Dear February, I hate to say
goodbye too soon. We are always three days short. There were still days when I
feel listless or without the desire to get up from bed (ummm…just like today).
But thank you for letting me bank a lot of good days. I hate to turn the
calendar over but we must keep moving.
Three days short but He has given
me more than I expect – or ask for. The gift of friends, their efforts to give
back, two places that I can call home, a safe place in the form of the truest
of true friends, more appreciation for art, the chance to be vulnerable and
accepted at the same time.
February, you’re a gift within
gifts.
-
Tiny Stories is inspired by the book curated by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (bearing
the same title) that says: The universe is not made of atoms; it’s made
of tiny stories. This is my attempt to compile mine, something to push
me to write even if there’s not a lot of words for me to grasp.
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