It's strange how some people can be so picky and ungrateful when some well-meaning soul gives you something from the bottom of their heart; Something that might not be considered 'nice enough' by most...
I went for a visit and upon arriving at the farm, my Aunt Bernice told me straight away:'I bought you a present'... I hated it when she did things like that, I hadn't brought her anything and that was not right. She went back in the other room and returned with an old blanket. It had definitely seen some wear already, but she told me she bought it for a quarter at a yard sale. She loved yard sales. Always lots of stuff cheap and Aunt Bernice was a horse trader. She loved bargaining... I'm sure she worked them down on whatever their original price was...
I didn't think much about it at the time and that was many years ago, but since then, I have spent many warm nights under that old blanket...
A lot of people don't give much thought to the art of gift giving, but it is not something to take lightly. I know it is customary among Native American Indians that if someone gives you a gift, you MUST give something in return. That is the way it is...
What if you have nothing to give back? It is not uncommon(for those who understand) to accept such trivial things as a rock...a small bundle of sweet grass; Just something, and if you understand the custom, it is more than sufficient. It came from the heart. It is the spirit of giving...
Many years ago, I was briefly acquainted with a tribal group in Virginia. One day I was asked if I would like to learn how to put up a teepee at one of the local schools; Sort of a 'show and tell' for the kids. Sure! Never put up a teepee before. This would be a first for me. It turned out that it was easier than I thought. In no time we had erected 3 14 ft teepees and we were finished.
We were putting the finishing touches to the teepees when one of the teachers( turns out she was also a member of the group) came around with glasses of lemonade and handed each of us a glass and small red bundle...
The gentleman I was helping explained to me that it was traditional to give something in return for what we had done for them; Putting up the teepees, that was...It was a small bit of sweet grass wrapped in a piece of red material. If one is materialistic and doesn't understand, it might be considered a joke or something, but to these people it is extremely serious. We thanked her for the gifts...and the lemonade...
Aunt Bernice has been gone quite some time now, but I can't tell you how many times I have warmed myself under that old blanket, and how I wished I could , somehow, give her a gift in return...
The old blanket is a little more worn now, but it is still mine and it keeps me warm...AND the little red bundle of sweet grass is tucked safely away. I will always remember what I learned...
I went for a visit and upon arriving at the farm, my Aunt Bernice told me straight away:'I bought you a present'... I hated it when she did things like that, I hadn't brought her anything and that was not right. She went back in the other room and returned with an old blanket. It had definitely seen some wear already, but she told me she bought it for a quarter at a yard sale. She loved yard sales. Always lots of stuff cheap and Aunt Bernice was a horse trader. She loved bargaining... I'm sure she worked them down on whatever their original price was...
A lot of people don't give much thought to the art of gift giving, but it is not something to take lightly. I know it is customary among Native American Indians that if someone gives you a gift, you MUST give something in return. That is the way it is...
What if you have nothing to give back? It is not uncommon(for those who understand) to accept such trivial things as a rock...a small bundle of sweet grass; Just something, and if you understand the custom, it is more than sufficient. It came from the heart. It is the spirit of giving...
Many years ago, I was briefly acquainted with a tribal group in Virginia. One day I was asked if I would like to learn how to put up a teepee at one of the local schools; Sort of a 'show and tell' for the kids. Sure! Never put up a teepee before. This would be a first for me. It turned out that it was easier than I thought. In no time we had erected 3 14 ft teepees and we were finished.
We were putting the finishing touches to the teepees when one of the teachers( turns out she was also a member of the group) came around with glasses of lemonade and handed each of us a glass and small red bundle...
The gentleman I was helping explained to me that it was traditional to give something in return for what we had done for them; Putting up the teepees, that was...It was a small bit of sweet grass wrapped in a piece of red material. If one is materialistic and doesn't understand, it might be considered a joke or something, but to these people it is extremely serious. We thanked her for the gifts...and the lemonade...
Aunt Bernice has been gone quite some time now, but I can't tell you how many times I have warmed myself under that old blanket, and how I wished I could , somehow, give her a gift in return...
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