A Story About Gift-Giving

From January 27, 2021

A few days ago, I somehow got into a conversation with my 10-year-old son (who has developmental disabilities but also happens to be friggin' brilliant) about gift-giving, about the kind of gifts that let folks know they're deeply known and thought of. Know what I mean?

Like, there's a difference between when a super close friend puts deep thought into what you'd love for your birthday, and when someone you met last week feels obligated to get you something.

One gift hopefully makes you feel a sense of belonging, of being known and cared for. The other is generous, but doesn't carry so much weight in your heart and rightly so.

Anyway. Isaac and I talked about some gifts he’s received that let him know the giver *knew* him.

So then I asked him -- lightheartedly, no pressure -- if he were gonna put thought into getting a gift for me to communicate that he knew me, what it would be.

He thought a minute.... and answered, so genuinely excited about his idea, but also with this mischievous twinkle in his eye...

"An old, run-down SHACK. Heh!"

Stan, passed by and heard the last few seconds of our convo, and cackled: "Well babe, he knows ya!"

(End note to anyone new around here: abandoned “shacks” are one of my favorite, FAVORITE things to photograph. I guess my kids notice where I find beauty. 😂🤷🏻‍♀️)