The Season of Giving & Ten Hungry Cats
Ah, Christmas Eve, what better time to write a note about giving and receiving.
As kids we grew up receiving, this is the great time of the year, stuff under the tree etc., of course years ago we matured to realizing the giving was the better part of the process, the more expensive part not withstanding, but the better part. So, each year we approach this time with warmth in our hearts and good intentions in our hearts to give back some of what we have so generously received over the years. In MX it's easy to "give" as those around us are generally less fortunate in the great lottery of life.
During the year it's the custom to tip when kids or elderly bag our groceries and when the very young ones want to push our carts to the car and help load it into our SUV's, probably something they can only dream of ever owning.. And at the gas station they still pump the gas for you, so again you share a few pesos and more at this special time of the year knowing virtually every one of them have ninos (children) at home hoping and expecting something.
It is an odd paradox that somewhere along the way we have morphed the joy of receiving into the joy of giving and they become one in the same. Some time ago we began our "list" of those we want to share with at our Christmas time, our (and I include Margaret my neighbor) gardener Pedro and wife Lupe, the trash men who twice weekly relieve us of our unwanted refuse, Gustavo my pool guy who has a new daughter (nina) this year, Pepe our Vet who takes care of our four legged friends, Carlos and his helper next door who not only got rid of the roosters but have helped to gravel the road out front and other things. Of course there are a myriad of charities of worthy note and it's always good to just reach out and share a bit with others beyond our immediate friends and families.
Probably one of the greatest examples of feeling good about "giving" is to have 10 hungry cats looking at you for sustenance, not that they couldn't go out and make a living for themselves, but they have grown to depend on you as their source, there's old Gray, the alpha cat in the neighborhood, Shorty, main guy around the yard, Mamasita, Sweet, Sour, Max of course, then in the casita are Midnight, Tic, Tac and Toe. They're all thankful (I guess?) for their meals and not demanding (much), always forgiving and non-judgmental and a joy to see each day. It's that odd symbiotic relationship developed over the centuries that bonds us to these creatures who could do very well without us, but for some reason we can't do without them.
So it is this Christmas, we share the joys of what we are given, and we enjoy the company and companionship of others and the time we are given.
To each and all, Blessing of the Season.
PS: One great blessing was "received" this very day, Christmas Eve, Margaret got her new passport (which she promptly laid a big smooch upon) so she can return to our sunny climes the day after Christmas which will be a blessing to us all.
As kids we grew up receiving, this is the great time of the year, stuff under the tree etc., of course years ago we matured to realizing the giving was the better part of the process, the more expensive part not withstanding, but the better part. So, each year we approach this time with warmth in our hearts and good intentions in our hearts to give back some of what we have so generously received over the years. In MX it's easy to "give" as those around us are generally less fortunate in the great lottery of life.
During the year it's the custom to tip when kids or elderly bag our groceries and when the very young ones want to push our carts to the car and help load it into our SUV's, probably something they can only dream of ever owning.. And at the gas station they still pump the gas for you, so again you share a few pesos and more at this special time of the year knowing virtually every one of them have ninos (children) at home hoping and expecting something.
It is an odd paradox that somewhere along the way we have morphed the joy of receiving into the joy of giving and they become one in the same. Some time ago we began our "list" of those we want to share with at our Christmas time, our (and I include Margaret my neighbor) gardener Pedro and wife Lupe, the trash men who twice weekly relieve us of our unwanted refuse, Gustavo my pool guy who has a new daughter (nina) this year, Pepe our Vet who takes care of our four legged friends, Carlos and his helper next door who not only got rid of the roosters but have helped to gravel the road out front and other things. Of course there are a myriad of charities of worthy note and it's always good to just reach out and share a bit with others beyond our immediate friends and families.
Probably one of the greatest examples of feeling good about "giving" is to have 10 hungry cats looking at you for sustenance, not that they couldn't go out and make a living for themselves, but they have grown to depend on you as their source, there's old Gray, the alpha cat in the neighborhood, Shorty, main guy around the yard, Mamasita, Sweet, Sour, Max of course, then in the casita are Midnight, Tic, Tac and Toe. They're all thankful (I guess?) for their meals and not demanding (much), always forgiving and non-judgmental and a joy to see each day. It's that odd symbiotic relationship developed over the centuries that bonds us to these creatures who could do very well without us, but for some reason we can't do without them.
So it is this Christmas, we share the joys of what we are given, and we enjoy the company and companionship of others and the time we are given.
To each and all, Blessing of the Season.
PS: One great blessing was "received" this very day, Christmas Eve, Margaret got her new passport (which she promptly laid a big smooch upon) so she can return to our sunny climes the day after Christmas which will be a blessing to us all.
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