Remembrance of Heidi at Christmas a blessing to the next generation

Yesterday I shared the beautiful golden book given to my mother, by her grandmother, my Great-Grama Searles when she was a girl attached to one of Heidi’s gold necklace chains. A priceless and precious gift of the heart from my parents to me BUT this wasn’t the first gift of remembrance given on Christmas morning, it was the second.

In the middle of our gift giving our daughter noticed a small package under the tree with her name on it, one that wasn’t there the evening before. Wrapped in red, green and gold plaid wrapping paper was a pair of silver earring. Shrieks of joy and thanks were lifted and she couldn’t wait to wear them. As I watched her open the box and saw the earrings ever so gently lifted from the box I recognized the earrings bringing her so much joy. As tears welled in my eyes and started to moisten my cheeks I could see Heidi as if she was sitting across from me laughing with those earring on as we enjoyed a “sister day” lunch date.

I’m sure my sister was smiling ear to ear looking down on her one and only niece enjoying her peace sign earrings. As I tried to wipe the tears from my eyes before anyone could notice I said a prayer of thanksgiving. I’m thankful for a daughter who is not only pleased but super excited over a gift of the heart at Christmas. A priceless gift’s value is determined by the love, thoughts, and bond reinforced through the selfless act of giving. Isn’t this what Christmas is all about?

God freely gave His One and Only Son to be born a baby here on earth with the knowledge He, Jesus, would need to be crucified and die for the sins of all people in fulfillment of the Scriptures later in His life. A priceless and selfless gift…what gift do you have to give this year?