An Amazing Gift

For the last few years my friend Jinny has gifted the women in our book club with a Christmas letter to our group. This letter is truly “gifted” to us, not just given. The letter is the most thoughtful of all the gifts I receive each year, for the gift contains nothing physical (it’s send via e-mail) and nothing material (it is not haphazardly stuck on top of a loaf of bread or a gift card). The letter contains two parts. The first is a look back at our year and what we have accomplished individually and as a group. This year it highlighted things such as three of us going back to work and four of us completing a triathlon (two for the first time), it talked about our girls’ weekend away and some of our struggles as well.
While I love the first part of the letter, the second part is the main show. Jinny assigns us each a name for the year and then talks about why. While she could easily assign us humorous names and roast us for our flaws or shortcomings – believe me she has the dirt on us – she picks beautiful, honoring, strong names. In choosing our names she holds a mirror up to each of us and says “look at what I see in you.” She reminds us of our own strength and beauty.
So in these final days before Christmas, if you are thinking of running to the mall one more time to buy one last gift for a loved one or friend, may I suggest giving someone the gift of letting them see themselves as you see them. Hope a mirror up for your friend or family member and show them the amazing, strong, beautiful person you see in them all year long – it’s an amazing gift.