by Lori Buttermark

Created on: November 09, 2008   Last Updated: December 22, 2008

"Gift that give back" is indeed a most beautiful and profound phrase; yet, there are some gifts that simply cannot be wrapped with the brightest of ribbons. These gifts are selfless acts and small sacrifices which carry merit on a different level.

A gift that gives back is the gratifying hug and smile of an elderly or disabled neighbor when we offer to pick up a quart of milk or their medication during the worst snowstorm. We stumble through three feet of snow or the car hits a nasty sheet of ice. Despite the frigid single digits, the selfless act warms the very pinnacle of our heart.

The gift that gives back with a super bonus is the teenager who tracks us down to thank us for persistent counseling, mentoring and never giving up on them. Their life consisted of courtrooms and substance abuse. Now they hold a decent paying job and furthering their education to achieve a goal. This is one less kid on the street and our heart is bursting with pride, along with their family.

The gift that gives back is volunteer work at a local hospital. We come in from the troubled outside world only to find real people, the patients, who are troubled with ill-health. We sit with them, lend support, comfort and humor, assure them that everything will get better and make them promise to "keep positive."

We learn that a few patients are on a new medication and have shown visible improvement. We stop in to visit them. They hold our hand so tightly, their eyes glow and they thank us for just being there for them.

We are mere volunteers, but reputed for our compassionate manner. We wish we could heal with the wave of a magic wand, but reality dictates otherwise. Sometimes one of our favorite patients takes a turn for the worst. A family member taps our shoulder in the hallway, expresses their gratitude stating that our support helped their loved one get this far.

Unemployment is like a dreaded disease. If we have family or very close friends who are experiencing hardship, the gift that gives back is giving them clothing we have outgrown, sharing groceries and/or perhaps a few dollars until they are financially stable. While we may decline monetary reimbursement, we find a more beneficial alternate plan, namely, showing them how to budget and save for a rainy day.

What greater gift that gives back than the annual Toy Drive. Most corporations, also retail, are reputed for setting up that huge square box in the lobby of their building. Employees and visitors pass by and deposit their toy donations. At the end of the two weeks or whatever time-frame is given, the toys are distributed to orphanages and underprivileged children.
As we watch our own beautiful and healthy children play with their new toys of every size, shape and color, we proudly reflect and remember that in another part of the world, our gifts are already giving back.

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