On being humble...

Ever notice how those who talk about 'a humbling experience', aren't, and have no intention of so becoming? 

"Are you sure, Grandpa?"

Recently, I had a conversation with my nine year old grand daughter. It was the day before Thanksgiving and we were having a 'FaceTime' event. Now, I'm sixty-four years young and still marvel at the magic (can there be any other explanation?) that allows us to talk and see each other on a device that rests on my palm. I suspect this 'magic' is missing from Alex's perspective - it's just way things are and always have been.

"Alex, have you decided what you're going to ask Santa for this Christmas?" I asked, hoping to get some clues. I really wasn't sure if she still believed in the person of Santa, but I suspect she'll be able to make the transition from the physical to the spirit with ease.

"I've got some ideas, but still thinking," she replied, then added, "Have you decided what you want?"

"No, I've not thought about it." And, it's true - whenever a loved one asks me what I'd like as a present, I generally say 'nothing, but thanks'.

This trait got me wondering. Where did it come from? I certainly wasn't always this way - as a boy, the more presents the better! I recall my dad telling me once that I would someday realize that the real joy was in giving the present, not in the receiving. Like many things my father told me, it took me a long time to appreciate the wisdom. A gift in itself.

I wanted to tell Alex what my dad had told me so long ago. But how to tell her without possibly shaming her for her innocent joy in anticipating presents at Christmas? Maybe an indirect approach would work best.

"You know, I feel best when I give you something," I said, then added, "It really doesn't matter what that something is, it's the 'giving' I like."

"It's like when I draw a picture for you - I think about how pleased you'll be as I'm drawing and it makes me feel good," she replied.

"Yes, that's what I'm trying to say," I said.

"But, Christmas presents are different," she quickly added, "I really think I like getting them and I don't think about giving them - except for the caramel corn you always tell me to leave for Santa."

"I see," I said, nodding my head.

"Maybe someday I'll like giving presents better than getting them," she said and I could sense she was giving herself a way out, but really wasn't convinced that it could ever be so.

Then a question for me, "Are you sure, Grandpa - about the giving of presents?" 

"Well, it works for me and maybe someday it'll work for you," I replied, thinking I had a pretty good idea who she could try out this newly discovered joy of giving with.

FYI - Just a marvelous learning piece... Enjoy!