Unlike when I was a child, the older I get the more I appreciate neither the quantity nor the designer-tag quality of presents I receive. I adore the unique gifts, which illustrate the giver’s thoughtful and meaningful choice made for me. This year I received two such presents to my delight from a dear friend.

Two of my dogs are absolutely enamored with potholders. Even though, I buy pot holders by the dozen, they quickly end up mauled to death in the backyard. When the cookies are done, I must scurry around to find a hand towel to retrieve them from the oven. Thus, I was most jazzed to be gifted handmade, loomed potholders, like the ones I made in elementary school. Just what I always wanted (not really), but certainly what I needed! Plus, she made them herself on her old metal loom, which to me, was remarkable.

Her second gift, though, was anchoring–a $100 donation to Everytown for Gun Safety. While I was shocked when the Columbine shooting occurred in 1999, I was not on the school board. But when the massacre at Sandy Hook occurred in 2013, I was the President of the school board and was shaken to the core of my being. Our board wrestled with the issue of ensuring the safety of our 35,000 students. And to date, the horror of school shootings continue.

I hope you all receive one or two meaningful presents, which captured for you the true essence of the season. Happy New Year!