I believe that what most people want is to have someone value whatever it is we have to give.
If it's food, we want those we share it with to love it. Same with flowers, a scarf, or even a story we have to tell.
While we can't fake it, (sometimes what another has to give isn't our cup of tea), we'd all do well to find at least a kernel of delicious or good or worthy in the gifts we are given from other people.
But we're maybe too tired to remember to tell the giver that we liked.....fill-in-the-blank. The dinner, the pie, the story, the song.
Years ago, traveling to Georgia, I left my car unlocked with my pocket book in it--just to look at something a few steps away. I don't remember what.
I saw a kiosk, a black woman inside selling cokes, and realized I was thirsty. And so I ordered one, only to realize that I had no money on me.
"No problem," she said, "I'm giving it to you."
I protested--my car was just there, I could go get a dollar, be right back.
She looked at me with a look of mock-reproach and said, "Girl, don't take away my blessing!"
My good fortune was to find a drink, but her good fortune, or blessing, was the joy of giving something away. I should have said--and ultimately did say--just "Thank you!"
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