The Gift of Time

[Bucky]

The Gift of Time
You can't wrap some presents in a box.  But what if you could?
By Beverly Beckham and Grandparents.com

The letter arrived a few weeks before Christmas, when my children were young.  "Give Time to family and friends," it said.  "Time is the ideal gift."  The letter was referring to Time the magazine, of course, not the real thing.

But what if you could give time, I wondered.  What if you could wrap it in silver and tie it with a red satin bow and present it to the people you love?

Fantasy, Pure conjecture.  Yet wonderful to consider.

I imagined collecting time, packing years in a box for a daughter then 14, who, when she looked in a mirror, saw all that she thought was wrong with her.  Time would give her a peek into the future, of the woman she would become -- bright and witty and beautiful.

I fantasized about saving time for my son, collecting his boyhood and packing it away so that when he was a man and encumbered by a man's responsibilities, he would be able to live again those days when life's biggest problem was where to play baseball.

I dreamed of freezing time for my youngest child, stopping the days from marching past, not for her sake but for mine.  I didn't want her to ever outgrow my lap.

To give time for Christmas.  Would that we could.  I'd relieve this time:

"Want to skip school today?  Go to the beach?"

My older kids say, "No!  Are you crazy?  It's December.  It's too cold for the beach."

But the youngest runs upstairs to get her shovel and mittens.  We search for sea glass and chase seagulls.  "I wish I could fly," she whispers dreamily.

"But you might fly away and not come back," I say, hugging her.

"No, Mommy," she says, hugging back.  "I would never leave you."

She did leave me, of course.  That's what children do.  This child who climbed on my lap has two children now.  My son is a 40-year-old man with two children of his own.  The then 14-year-old is a beautiful woman with a daughter of her own.  And my husband and I are now doting, over-the-moon, let-me-tell-you-about-my-grandchildren grandparents.

Give Time, the letter said.

My grandchildren are 6 and 5 and 2 and nine months and I think that now, this time, is so perfect that there's no wishing it backward or forward.

I'd wrap it in silver and tie it with a red satin bow if I could.  To enjoy it now but save it for another Christmas, too.  For this is the real gift of time -- that it passes but it also stays.  That we can go back.  That we never really lose what is gone.


*********************************************************************************************************************

This year with all the economic hardships many are experiencing, where money is stretched so thin just taking care of the basics of living there isn't much "left over" for gifts - consider giving a gift that keeps on giving . . . a gift of your time.  Something money can't buy, but you can give freely.  Do you like to bake?  Make a certificate offering to bake a cake, or cookies at a future time.  Do you like to sew, knit or crochet?  Make a certificate offering your services for mending, or making a pair of gloves, slippers, hat, etc.  Make a certificate offering your babysitting services for a friend who needs a break from the kids.  Your kids can get in on the fun too . . have them make a certificate to shovel snow, get the newspaper or mail for an elderly neighbor.  The gift of your time is priceless and the opportunities endless.

Put your thinking cap on and be creative with your gift of time.  Not only at Christmas - but throughout the year for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc.   

Bucky

[jaygee]

That's lovely, bucky     xx

[harrigan]

Such lovely ideas and memories Bucky.  Thankyou for sharing this with us. 

[navydad]

As I watch my 31 year old and his 22 year old brother tease each other in the living room ner the Christmas Tree,, I am reminded of how time has flown by,, how all my oldest son wanted as a 8 year old was a Dukes of Hazard smash em up car,, now its blackberries, X-Box,, and whatever else That has destryed that special TIME we had when they were kids,, but like life itself,, its like a vapor,, here now and gone in a instant

[RobinBat]

Bucky that was lovely, and so true...so many memories...so much time.....seems like yesterday at times and soo very lomg ago at others...Thanks for sharing...RobinBat

[Joy Cox]

     Greetings Sweet Bucky, At my age time flies whether you are having a good time or not...bring on the new year. I am ready for a challenge to feel better...to kick butt and that's some of this sjoggie 'crap.' Memories abound of years gone by and memories are 'bouncing off the walls' in a new generation...grandkids.   

[lynnmarie219]

Thanks for sharing this with us Bucky...how true it is! I think many people get sad around the holidays because of the memories they have of a time past.....I often feel that way when I think of how different the holidays were when I had my whole family around and we were just kids....I also miss the times shared with my grandparents and others who have passed on.

BUT....I then need to look around at what I have today and the family and friends that are still part of my life even though it may not be the same as when we are younger. I also have all of the wonderful memories of these past times which I will always have to cherish......not to mention all the new people in my life...friends....my nephew/godson who is now married and in the Marines and the little boy they will be having in March (my great nephew....omg....that makes me feel so old!) 

Hugs to you all....