When I was eight years old, my mom told me that giving gifts was more enjoyable than receiving them. I remember hearing this, holding my teddy bear, thinking I was not so sure about that.

A few days later, we visited an orphanage. It was my first time ever visiting one and I was very disturbed at first. I felt so many emotions when I saw the kids running towards us as my mom had all these gifts in hand. My older brother was giving them all his old toys - he had a lot! He never used them and they were already in a box ready to go. I had brought all my stuffed animals. I was reluctant to let go of Snowy, my little rabbit with a carrot that my mom had bought for me at Easter two years prior and who hung out with me after school. There was a little African American girl with her hair in braids and big brown eyes about my age, who eyed Snowy in my arms.

She came up to me and asked timidly, “Can I have that one?”

I nodded my head and gave it to her, saying, “His name is Snowy.”

She asked me very seriously, “It’s a guy?”

I said, “Yup,” nodding my head, “He loves to sing with you.”

She nodded her head and took Snowy and gave me a big smile. Then she ran off with Snowy. I heard her telling another kid, “His name is Snowy. He likes to sing.”

I looked up at my mom and she smiled at me gently. It was hard giving away Snowy and my E.T. doll. We had had lots of adventures together by then.

Today at this prime age of 44, I can tell you this - giving gifts is definitely better than receiving them! I have made many mistakes in my life, but I feel very lucky to have good people in my life. They are so amazing! They deserve everything good! If I can make their lives a little happier, I feel I did at least one thing right in the world!

Here’s to 2020! Let’s give more and love more, shall we?