It was almost 6:00pm.  I had my three little grandchildren over for dinner.  Dinner with extra young ones is a busy time.  My day started at 5:00am and I had been going strong all day.  I was tired, the noise level was higher than our quiet empty nest usually provides, and the demands of the season were on my mind.  The doorbell rang.  As I hurried to the front door, I expected a delivery from the friendly UPS man.  Instead, there stood a neighbor holding a gorgeously wrapped box out to me.  Here he said, "my wife and I want to give you this, for being our wonderful neighbors".  He talked briefly, he smiled, said good-bye, and he was gone.  I stood there looking at this beautifully wrapped gift box, and let me tell you, I would'nt

have cared if the box was empty, because my spirits had already been lifted, no matter what was inside the box.  I can't tell you what a boost that was in my day. 

I took the wrapped box into the kitchen, and three little ones swarmed around us, as my husband and I opened the small, square box.  There arranged perfectly were tiny, festively decorated truffles from a pastry shop.  What an extraordinary surprise in the middle of an ordinary day in December.  I share this with each of you, so just incase you feel prompted to share a gift with your neighbors, you will be made aware the joy it could bring to them.  Size and price do not matter.  What does matter is that one takes the time to care, whether you know your neighbors well or not.

As the sun set after dinner last evening, I felt a deep gratitude in my heart for the many gifts I have been given, and for the great privilege we have to give to others this Christmas season, however small that gift may be. 

"We can give without loving, but we cannot love without giving." 

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

Both quotes by Roy B. Zuck