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I've received a lot in the thirty five years I've been in existence, from material possessions to the gift of love. I've appreciated every single thing that was given to me and, where material possessions are concerned, I've been grateful. Where gifts from the heart have been received, I've been speechless, uplifted, and touched beyond words.

However, personally, as much as I like to receive, I love to give. Giving blesses the person I am giving to and it blesses me when I know I have done good to another person by helping in some small way. It touches my heart to know I've made someone else's day brighter, which makes my day feel sunny and bright.

I remember holding each of my three children in my arms and feeling I was given the greatest gifts of all. I held and cradled them as though they might slip from my fingers at any moment and nurtured them with love, affection, and conversation from the beginning. I've never regretted it.

In fact, despite the Bible stating that it is more blessed to give than receive, it wasn't until I became a mother that it really struck home. After all, when raising a newborn baby, we have to do almost everything for our child. We give and give until we feel we can give no more. We are waking at night, waking early in the morning, not to mention dealing with dirty diapers and piles of laundry. Yet we have our rewards even then - having our baby snuggle into us while we feel like a million bucks and laying our baby to sleep at night feeling our hearts swell with a love so intense that it burns.

Our baby grows a little older and before long becomes a little more independent. We are still needed in many areas but our unconditional giving in the early days is paying off in greater rewards than we could have imagined. Our child sits up on her own and wants to play with us. She smiles and tries to talk and, though we can't understand a word, it feels we've been given a wonderful gift.

Meanwhile, we continue to provide her with love and attention, teaching her things day by day, giving her the strongest foundation possible. Time flies and she begins walking around, exploring her surroundings. The delight in her eyes is another blessing as she discovers the world around her, both at home and at the park. It seems, indeed, that the more I give, the more blessed I am.

Over recent years, though, I've gotten into the habit of giving more than receiving, to the point it's been difficult to receive, at times. While it didn't bother me, recently it has started to nag me because, by refusing to allow others to give to me, I'm depriving them of the joy I feel when I give...and that is enough to make clouds come in and cover the sunshine that wants to shine so brightly.

Learn more about this author, Norma Budden.
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