What was the greatest gift you've ever received?

What is the greatest gift you've ever received?

As the holidays approach I have begun buying gifts for those I love. Over the years I've become less interested in the selfish holiday I see so many people enjoying- spending a fortune and forgetting what the holidays are really celebrating. In protest, I've opted to buy smaller, more meaningful gifts. I usually honor my friends and family through charitable donations. Everyone seems to appreciate that. And, I feel better giving it myself.

So, what is the greatest gift you've even received? Is it a tangible? Or is it an event?

For me, the greatest gift I've received is a value. I am thankful that my Mother taught me ...manners. She taught me how to be polite- yes, even to strangers. I can't begin to tell you the number of times that people have made mention of how "friendly" I am. They thank ME for being nice to THEM. Read that again, yes you read it correctly. I say "please" and "thank you" and I even use "m'am" and "sir" when I feel its appropriate.

If you don't think that manners have a place in society today, I challenge you to try them for one week and see the difference. Compliment someone. Hold the door. Help someone you don't know. You'll see how gorgeous the world can really be. Sure, you'll get the random jerk who has no clue that you just did or said something nice, but you have the upper hand. You ARE the better person. Enjoy that.

Just this week I observed an emergency at a neighbor's home. I didn't know them (they had just moved in) but I offered my assistance in making the calls, driving the car and spending hours at the emergency room. I had to cancel two business appointments, at the last minute, but still I knew this was the "right" thing to do. How would you have wanted to be treated in the same situation? Don't lose your values in the routine hussle of your day. Get a hold of yourself- come back down to earth.

I've just written WWII Radio Heroes (available at www.powletters.com and www.amazon.com) which is a story about people helping people. Absolute strangers offering a hand, and a dollar, to someone they don't know who is in desperate need of information. My great-grandmother heard from 69 strangers, all across the country, that her son, my grandfather- my hero- Robert May Spahr, was a prisoner of war. He was captured by the Germans (our origin) in 1943 in N. Africa and held for 26 months. He returned, thank God, and began a family with the woman he loved. As history goes I came along, the only one in my generation. I found these 69 letters 20 years after my grandfather passed. I reached out to find the original authors of those postcards and letters- to say "thank you". My journey began there. You can read more about my manners and my search at www.powletters.com

May you recognize the gifts you've been given and be thankful. Exercise those gifts each day.

Thank you- for reading my blog.

Happy Holidays.