It’s the Thought That Counts

With Christmas right around the corner, so much emphasis is placed on shopping, gift buying, giving and receiving.  I say it all the time; the actual gift makes no difference.  It is the thought that counts.  But truthfully is it really just the thought or does the gift matter? 

This afternoon as I picked up my fourth grade students for my last math class, one student says, “I have something for you.”  I acknowledged him, but I no longer get too excited about receiving gifts from my students because it is usually the same old smelly lotion, candy, used ornaments, or the favorite teacher gift of all time—a mug, sometimes with goodies in it and sometimes without.  So sure enough I thought to myself it was going to be another one of these to stuff in my kitchen cabinet and add to the pile that my husband says, “You really need to get rid of some of those.”

We made our way to the classroom and the student was then called over the intercom to check out early.  Just before he left he said, “Do you want your gift now?”  Of course I did.  He then asked, “Which color do you like best—white, baby blue, or dark blue?”  Okay, maybe this is something, my excitement evolved slightly.  I went with baby blue and emerged from his pocket was this…

A decorative bead, a baby blue bead.

I smiled and accepted whole heartedly as he handed it over and thanked him so much.  He had a grin from ear to ear.  It was the joy that he handed over to me; it wasn’t about the gift at all. 

What’s a girl to do with a baby blue bead?  I will place this in the third drawer of my jewelry box with other student mementos and on the rare occasion that I see it I will remember and smile. 

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Not that it is as special as my gift, but today’s meals…

Oatmeal with crumbled gingerbread cake and a mug (from a student) of tea.

Lunch was a salad of romaine, tomatoes, carrots, turkey, feta, ranch light, and some chobani greek yogurt.

I did make it to the gym, but did NOT feel like being there at all.  I did 20 minutes on the bicycle, followed by 20 minutes on the elliptical, and 12 minutes on the stair stepper.   I ended with some stretching.

By the time I got home I was hungry.  I snacked on crackers (shared with the dogs)and honey flavored goat cheese that has been sitting in my fridge.

On Monday, Mom stopped at my house to let out my dogs since Chris and I both worked late and she snuck some leftover Chinese takeout in my refrigerator.  So dinner was composed of fried rice.

I also had a piece of gingerbread cake.  I guess my body was craving some carbs. tonight.

Have you ever received a gift that meant a lot, but wasn’t exactly something you would want or could ever use?