thoughtful thursday

this week has been filled with christmas gifts; wrapping gifts, wednesday's unexpected gift activity, gifts being exchanged with friends this week before christmas, and more to come with family on christmas day and throughout next week. the reason for the tradition is to offer a token of esteem to others the way the wise men offered gifts to the baby jesus.  it is important to remember that gift giving isn't the fulfillment of someone's "want" list, as though receiving gifts is like procuring items on a shopping list.  the most special gifts are those filled with love for the person receiving the gift. and the best gift in return is that the recipient is thrilled to have been thought of by someone at christmas.