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| "Why, thank you very much!" |
I was not
born the gracious gift (or compliment) receiver that I am today. In fact, I can point to the exact moment when
I learned the skill of receiving a gift, particularly in the presence of the
giver. I use the word “skill” because
it is a learned behavior and over time, when used regularly, becomes easier and
strengthens our relationships with others as well as with ourselves.
As my father
and I were leaving a Christmas Eve party at a relative’s house, the host
retrieved a gift from under the tree and presented it to my father. He staunchly refused, even going so far as to
keep his hands in his coat pockets!
“No! I told you not to get me
anything! I have everything I
need!” While it may have been true, that
he had everything he needed, the scene was downright uncomfortable and the
despair on the host’s face was apparent.
“Here! I’ll take it for him, and
thank you so very much! Merry
Christmas!” I said. I knew exactly what
I was going to say to him in the car.
I began, “Do
you know that feeling you get when you watch me open a gift from you, and you
swell up with pride or whatever it is you are feeling when I say ‘Thank You,
Pop!’?
“Yes”, he admits.
“Well, you
just stole that feeling from the person who presented you with this gift! You didn’t allow them to experience that joy
that you yourself love to feel when you are the giver!”
Silence.
