I think many of us have had the frustrating experience of attempting to give a birthday gift to someone who "has it all". A frustrating conundrum in its own right of course- trying to find something they will appreciate and show your thoughtfulness, but they don't already have.
However, this post isn't about that. This post is a reflection of what to give a man who has nothing, from his woman who has equally as little.
My "husband"'s 35th birthday is tomorrow. We figured after all these years, we'd be on a more stable ground. How many birthdays now have we said, "I'm sorry, I can only make you a card. But next year! We will go on a date, have a wonderful dinner just you and I. I'll be able to let the kids experience the gift of giving and give you something they really want. But this year, please excuse the crappy dollar store figurines they chose- but know they come from the heart."
What do you give the man who has holes in his socks? What do you give the man who has two pairs of shorts- the ones he's wearing, and the ones in the wash yesterday? We were at the store the other day, ready to get him some more, and, socks in hand, we realize: we can get a meal for our family of 5 for the price of these socks. His holes aren't THAT bad. At least compared to having dinner or not, they aren't. And besides- next week will be better, so we'll get them then. Ha! Famous last words!
So what do I give the man, who gives the paycheck he earns every day working in 100 degree South Carolina heat, to our family, and continues on with holes (and now mulch by the time the day is done) in his socks? The weathered man who dreamed with me of all the experiences we would experience. The bahamas? Ha! We will just be happy to have meat in this week's day before pay day spaghetti.
And we aren't unhappy. Don't get me wrong. We aren't materialistic. We are far to broke for that! Joking aside, I start each day with a list of the things I am grateful for, and can easily fill a page. We have a strobg partnership, and children who often bicker but always love. But these things aren't something you can package up, with a card that says "thanks for all that you do. We appreciate you," with a nice bow. Especially since the bow cost as much as the potential meat for our spaghetti.
So I still don't know what to give the man who has nothing . All I have is my love, my admiration, my support, my appreciation. I have been giving them for years. I hope they are still enough. One day, it will be the bahamas
But this year, I think I should probably give him some socks.
(this image is not mine. Here is the link it appears in. https://goo.gl/images/vJkr4G)
And just to clarify, we know that amid our nothing, we have everything. We are so blessed and grateful for the love of one another, and our family. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
