Gifting

 I can't seem to stop thinking about gifts.  I guess it is the time of year to think about gifts.  Getting ready for the upcoming Christmas season and feeling thankful has a way of lending itself to gift giving.  I'm thinking of my growing children whose tastes have changed so much.  I used to buy dolls and sets and now I'm buying electronics, clothes and shoes.  I go back and forth on what to get Geoff, but I'm thinking about it.  Despite of all around us that is not quite right.  I am still thinking about the nature of gifting.

I got a gift recently.  The whole event had to do with gifts, funny enough.  We decided to take a day to go to Sedona and spend the day there.  We were supposed to look for some gifts in the little cute shops that they have there.  Janet had her eye on a sweatshirt.  I wanted to get David a t-shirt.  We decided to go earlier and hike.  

There were thoughts on where we were going to hike.  God and the GPS had different ideas.  We ended up going on a different route and it led us to Red Rock State Park.  "Why not?" We told ourselves.  We parked and got ready.  The leaves were changing.  I hadn't had an Autumn day in ages.  I don't even think the children remember a real Autumn.  I had found Janet looking for the crunchy leaves around where we live to step on them.  My children have been deprived of seasons.  I didn't think they minded until I found them running in the leaves as I put on my hiking boots.  We walked across the parking lot into a fairy land.  There was a creek with running water and the red rock canyon on the other side of us.  There were changing leaves everywhere.  It was just breezy enough.  It smelled like Fall.  

This beautiful day was a gift.  It was a brilliant gift with wonderful sights and great people.  I said more than once that I would bottle the smell in a jar if I could have.  I am thankful.  I was gifted a day.  I'm thankful to everyone involved.  I am thankful, so thankful for early gifts, considerate boyfriends who plan hikes.  I am thankful to God from whom all blessings flow.   Praise the Lord!!!