My Gifting Style and Sundry Tidbits

I've finally returned. These past few weeks have been so busy, not with the typical fun stuff everyone else does during this time, but more like dealing with an increase of activity in things I don't particularly find enjoyable. Part of it had to do with shifting things around the house to prepare for some renovation and construction projects. The upside to that is that there were things we've been literally waiting a year for that are finally done or nearly done. Another part had to do with baking for Christmas. A certain person I assist in for care got into an obsession for cookie recipes, so I've been spending my days making cookie dough. I like to make cookies, but not multiple ones at once. Some of those cookies went to neighbors, which is part of the family tradition, but not necessarily my personal style. I don't find handing out treats as my kind of thing, but it's an obligation when I'm taking care of someone who sees it as a tradition.

So what is it that is my kind of thing when it comes to gifting family, friends, and neighbors? For me, I like it to be something personal that clearly tells that person that gift was sincerely from me, and not just a general kind gesture. One of the things I like to do is to write a poem, because that's who I am. I love writing poetry as well as other types of writing. In a way, they get a piece of me as a gift. So when I get my Christmas poem written up, that's my goody plate as it were. This plays a similar role in my gift giving to friends and family. I hate whipping up a present for the mere sake of making sure I have a present for that one person. My gifts have to mean something. For example, one year when I was shopping for my sister and remembered a conversation a long time before how she like a certain something that I found in the store that day, so I got it for her. Last year, I gave family members ornaments of both sides of our grandparents now all deceased on an ornament to hang on their trees. This year, I customized a wall hanging with one of my best and most favorite photos that I took this year on it: 

A Break in the Clouds on a Rainy Day by Becky Weight

Speaking of personal things, I'm here to report that the singing challenge is now completed. I have to say that this was the most interesting experience. It was strange, because when I looked at the music at home, I could hear the music as it was supposed to be, but when I went to practice it with the choir, I got completely confused. There was a lot of mulling over that issue trying to figure out what my problem was, and why it was happening. Normally, I don't have that issue. I'm still not sure exactly what was going on, but all I know was that when I was singing that part with the other girl, something didn't feel right. My only guess was that because she was such a strong singer that it was somehow interrupting my concentration and I was having a disconnect with myself. I don't really know how to explain it. It made me concerned that I was going to mess the whole thing up when the time came to sing it. The moment came today, and I came to the conclusion that all I could do was my best. I needed to try my best not to let any problems that came up eat at me. What would happen will happen no matter what I do. Interestingly enough, it turned out that the girl I was singing with had to sit elsewhere since she had other things to do that required her to go there, so I was left to sing it by myself in my spot. During the moment of truth, I was pleasantly surprised that I did as well as I did. With the exception of needing lubrication to help my singing, that feeling that something was off didn't come, and most of my notes were where they were supposed to be. It wasn't perfect, but I consider the fact that being only one of two people singing this in front of people was gutsy enough to be in itself a great accomplishment. It's sometimes those little things that turn out to be greater accomplishments than the ones people always give recognition to.

The holiday is coming soon and may pass before I write again, so in my closing may I wish you a beautiful and exceedingly enjoyable holiday. Enjoy your time with your beloved friends and family. They're worth it.