It was wrapped in recycled paper with an old bow from who knows what.  She held it in her hands carefully as if it contained the world's greatest treasure.

"It's for Santa," she smiled.  "I figure he doesn't get many presents".

Before I make it sound like I think Rylie's an angel, might I remind you that I'm the first one to admit she's high maintenance.  She's rotten, but to be fair, I'll tell you she has a tender heart too.

The youth had its annual fundraiser today.  After church, pictures were taken with Santa.  Getting ready for church, I noticed she could hardly contain her excitement.

 Every year she has a mile-long list of what she wants for Christmas which usually contains everything she's seen on a commercial.  Last year her Christmas requests included, but were not limited to a Geico robot and a Life Alert necklace.  We could not convince her that neither "Geico.com" nor Santa had Geico robots in stock.

This Santa visit was quite different from the typical monopolizing of Santa's time.  She walked up and handed him his gift telling him it was something he could use to count down the days of Christmas.  Their encounter was short and sweet.  I don't think she even told him what she wanted.

It seemed all about the gift.

I waited to see him open it.  I wanted to see his reaction.  Not her.  She just gave with no need for laud and honor.  I wanted to tell several people around me that she had thought and executed the plan on her own, but she didn't seem to care if no one noticed.

It wasn't about the recognition.

Just a small gift with no strings attached, just a simple bow and a simple message.

A gift need not come in a fancy package.  It doesn't have to be exspensive; it just cost a little bit of oneself.  It doesn't require recognition or even reciprocation. 

 It just gives.

I think she made the nice list today.