Member-only story
Material Gifts Are Good Until They’re Not
On his birthday, the boy pulled the string, launching the helicopter.
It hovered in the air and then slowly descended.
It’s fun to explore and get caught up in the momentary joy of the gifts we’ve received.
Watching my neighbor took me back to a Christmas 40 years ago.
I watched the family stand in the cul-de-sac with a remote-controlled airplane. Using the controller, the father maneuvered the airplane across the pavement. It rose into the air, circling higher and higher.
In seconds, it crashed to the ground.
The excitement of material gifts can disappear in seconds, losing their luster or breaking to become useless.
That is the nature of material gifts. They have a defined lifespan that can be cut short.
Some gifts last longer: time, attention, knowledge, experiences.
Make opportunities to give gifts that will last.
