HANDMADE THOUGHFULNESS
Today I am thankful for people in my life who are thoughtful.
Thankful for those who take the time to make thoughtful gifts. Although my family says I'm the most difficult person to shop for, oh wait! They are right! I am difficult to shop for. I am only difficult to shop for because nine out of ten times I'm not interested in something that is purchased. If there is something I'm interested in, most often it is attached to a memory, moment or something that means something to me. I'm not much for material items.
Some of my most favorite "things" in life have been hand made. I am the mom who still has all of the macaroni necklaces the kids made in pre school, I have all of the art work they've made through the years, especially for me (many of them in books or framed). I am the grand daughter who keeps all of the note cards her grandmother hand paints. I'm the friend who still has notes and cards from when I was a child, because they still mean something to me. I so appreciate when someone takes the time to put thought into making something just for me. It speaks volumes.
I have a girlfriend who is not very crafty (at all) but with all her heart she sets out to make me things, because she knows I appreciate her efforts beyond words. Her creative gifts have always meant a great deal, because I know it was the true meaning of friendship that pushed her outside of her box and into a craft store in search of making something just for me. If was fabulous or not to others, it didn't matter, because her thoughtfulness made it amazing in my eyes.
My kids have always been thoughtful in making me things. Even today, they know at their ages I would much rather have a hand made card than a store bought card any day.
My daughter loves to make jewelry. Sometimes it's not always my style or flavor, but the fact it means so much to her to make it for me, you bet your Rolex I'm going to wear it! And wear it with honor! When she was 4years old she made me an embroidery string bracelet out of three woven strands. She told me when she tied it on my wrist "don't loose this mom or we can't be best friends". She is now 9 and it was only THIS YEAR that it wore so thin that it finally broke. It saddened me a little. Although it looked terrible, it held value in my heart. I couldn't throw it away! I have a wall of crosses, so I took that little piece of worn out string and placed it upon one of the crosses. When I see it, I smile. Yes, I know silly and maybe even a little gross at this point, but it is still just as sweet today as it was the day she tied it on my wrist.
My husband is thoughtful in his gifts as well. Although with him its a bit different as he wants me to tell him what I want or desire. Equally as sweet and just as much appreciated ~ knowing he is wanting to make me something because he knows his skills and handiwork are something I appreciate, deeply. For our wedding he made the arch which we were married beneath. He didn't "just make it" there was a great deal of time and thought put into it. For weeks, nearly a month or more he worked on it. He wanted it just right. And we wanted it so we could keep it and utilize it in our yard after. Holding onto that day and his thoughtfulness for years to come.
I'm not anti "purchased" gifts, I have some favorites of them as well.
I sign my notes, cards, text messages and letters with "XOXO" meaning, Hugs and Love. Many people know this about me. My aunt and cousin one year gave me two tokens. One was an "X" and the other an "O" and shared they always think of me when they see XOX. I have kept the tokens in my wallet for years. I see them often, smile and think of my family, who was so kind in thinking of me.
Another XOXO gift, which I truly treasure was from my son. I like "Visible Faith Jewelry" - for my birthday years ago I shared with my son I'd like a piece of the jewelry. Which is often signs of faith, crosses, angels, inspirational words.
My son gifted me two pieces. One was a small cross pendant with the "Christian fish" on it. Also in the gift bag was another pendant which read "I pray for you daily". It looks like a river stone (which I love river rocks) and on the other side it read "XOXO". My heart was filled. I wear the pieces daily, and have only removed them once. I treasure them, the message, the thoughtfulness in the personalization of them. A purchased gift that was so thought out.... thoughtfulness!
Let All That You Do Be Done In Love.
1 Corinthian 16:14
Material items are nice, there is no denying that. But for me, the thoughtful items, that is where it's at! A silly worn out string, a note scribbled on a piece of scratch paper, a hand made card..... heartfelt thoughtfulness, So grateful for people in my life who are so creative and thoughtful!