Here on the hinge of the holidays, Christmas Day: the big dog, plus scrappy little hanukah this year, both gift-reinforced holidays, we consider Generosity.
For me here with my tiny G-Dot and her two smart and sassy cousins, I got to relive the old days of toy extravaganza Gretchen and I so loved when our kids were small, as well as when my sisters and I were little and our dad was trading his performance as Santa for carte blanch for us at the local toy store .
I saw a little shaming going round among my Burner friends’ postings of their opulent spreads under their trees. Yes, Rev. Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping disapprove, and yes for the spoiled bourgeoisie, it can be an egoistic pissing contest, often done as compensation for their lack of any authenticity in their relationships.
But there is something so powerful and satisfying about being generous, about pampering the ones we love. Especially about discovering some faith that your loved ones can fulfill your heart’s desire and the world can be a safe and bountiful place. Surely it is too often never that for too many of our cousins, and even rare for most of us, but to believe it possible at all, is to can grant a miracle of optimism.
So on this Holly Day of Generosity, share freely of yourself, your love, your wisdom and even your purse.
HOLLY DAYS 