Since she was thirteen years old, I’ve been sending my friend’s daughter Christmas presents through him. Six or seven years ago, I sent her a necklace because I disagreed with the masculine gifts he’d bought. She carried around that necklace all Christmas day like a precious treasure, thus began the Christmas gift tradition. However, since April of this year, she and I have forged a bond of our own. She’s more mine than his now… It sounds terrible, but he’ll get over it.

Yesterday was the first Christmas that I was able to deliver her gift in person! I surprised her at home and couldn’t wait to see the joy on her face. Instead, she looked puzzled and said, “I didn’t think you’d get me anything this year.” I furrowed my brow in curiosity and asked, “When haven’t I gotten you something for Christmas?” To which she replied, “Yeah, but you’re here now, and that’s enough.”

I’d heard about her emotional reactions to my gifts throughout the years and gave myself kudos for being an awesome gift-giver. But yesterday, I learned that the presents were merely representations of the love and care I felt for her. Of course, I knew that; however, it was beyond beautiful to learn that she knew it.

Being here is enough – without a single gift in hand, I’m enough… now THAT’S a gift!