Pig
Writes:
Later
that night Christmas Eve, we sat by the fire sipping on some
Christmas cheer.
I felt
depressed and let down for the old craftsman.
I felt
an empty hole deep inside of me.
But
then my old friend spoke up and said “There is more to Christmas
than just presents, Pig. I knew before I even took that toy box over
there she wouldn't like it.”
Then
why did you do it? Why go through all that trouble and expense?
A
smile came across his face, one that warmed the room. I could feel
peace in the air. “I learned a long, long time ago you came never
outgive the greatest gift ever given” he said.
Christmas
is not about presents, or trees, lights and decorations. Christmas
is about the one present God gave each of us, His son, Jesus Christ.
That is the greatest gift ever given.
It
says in John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only
son for those who believe in Him will have everlasting life.
That
woman has spent her whole life busy trying to keep up with the Jones.
She has lost any clue as to what Christmas is all about.
I
built that toy box for my nephew, not for her. What she wanted was a
high dollar piece of furniture to make her house look good. But it
was not for her.
A hand
made present has more meaning than any store bought present ever
could. It means that you care enough about that person to spend time
doing something nice for them.
I have
received lots of Christmas presents through the years. Right now I
cannot remember but only a few of them. But what I do remember is
the Christmas gatherings and time I spent with family and friends.
That means more to me than any present ever could.
Christmas
is about our love for one another. It's not about all that psycho
baloney “Oh, I didn't get the G.I. Joe with the kung foo grip for
Christmas and now I am scarred for life and it's all your fault”.
There
was a pause as we both took a good long drag off of our Christmas
cheer.
Then
he said, “Pig, I want to learn to live your life by three little
words.”
“OK,
hit me.”
“Live,
Laugh, Love” he said to me.
Live
your life to the fullest each day as if it was your last.
Laugh
with all of your might at everything funny.
Love
with all your heart and all your soul.
There
was another pause as I soaked in the words he had just spoken to me.
I
looked at him and he smiled back at me. “Does this mean you won't
like my Christmas present to you?”
“What
did you buy me Pig?”
“A
six pack of beer.”
“Well
then break it out and we'll share it together my little pink friend”
he said with a boisterous laugh as he gave me a hug. I have to
admit, sitting by the fire with my best friend just talking and
laughing. Well, that beer tasted pretty darn good to me.
Merry
Christmas Everybody
Ride
HARD or Stay Home
Pig