Be aware of the bigger picture as it is, not just the desire behind action … what do people really need? Is it truly what we desire to give, or is it something else?

Years ago I was a struggling single woman. My mother asked what I wanted for Christmas. I said, “If you really want to do something for me, pay my PGE bill.” She got pissed and said, “I’m not giving you MONEY!!” And she bought me something I had absolutely no need for, it was useless to me.

She also got mad when I told her I wasn’t doing Christmas one year because of no money. She said haughtily, “You have a credit card don’t you?” And I was flabbergasted that she wanted me to go hundreds of dollars in debt with interest so I could buy people things they wouldn’t need or like.

I never understood that holiday…. Although these days I may find reason to get myself something nice.