My daughter was already pained that I wasn’t getting any surprises for Christmas, when we arrived at the store. Close your eyes, she said, and hid something in the cart. I smiled, then wondered what the sales clerk thought when I turned my back while my daughter made her purchase. I didn’t even turn toward her when she realized the money she’d earned doing chores was insufficient, and I passed her more.  

I smiled the whole way home, knowing no matter what she wrapped and put under the tree for me, her generosity was a gift. With family so far away, I pick out my own gifts with money they send, which I enjoy, probably a little too much. Brian usually tries to surprise me, but this year I had an idea so good, I had to suggest it, so I knew everything that was under the tree. Until my daughter stepped in. Thanks to her thoughtfulness, I got to enjoy the anticipation of having a surprise wrapped for me.

She amazes me with her generosity. Nearly daily, she’s giving a gift – whether it’s something she’s drawn, or a piece of gum she bought with her money – she offered me one today on my way out the door, heading to the store.

I’m not the only one to take notice. Quoting Emma Goldman, “No one has yet realized the wealth of sympathy, the kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child.”

Generosity is a high priority for me, too, yet I often find myself holding tightly. Why, I ask? And I don’t like the answer. When I look down deep I see fear of not having enough – the belief that if I hold on to one more stick of gum, I’ll somehow be better off. 

My daughter isn’t saddled with these worries and I hope she’ll stay that way.

Children are a gift, showing us what we’ve lost. 

I have hope for my daughter. Her life has been filled with generous people, wonderful role models. Year one in China was my biggest challenge as a parent. And perhaps because it was so hard, a blessing stood out to me. We’d go for a meal with friends and when we finished, we’d discover the bill was already paid. I’d be pushing the stroller and before we reached a flight of stairs, someone would pick up the front and help me carry it up. Cockroaches were living in our bathroom and a friend took the time to show us how to block the drain. 

We get to live alongside some of the most amazing people I’ve ever known. I love being with generous people, and not just because of the free meals – they inspire me to be more than I am.

I declined my daughter’s stick of gum today, but paused to affirm her generosity. After all, I was heading to the very store that birthed this post, the place she picked out this beautiful notebook and a fountain pen. What a gift: the fruit of my daughter’s thoughtfulness, and a calling to be more generous.