Last week was my birthday and I was not a giver. I was the receiver. We all love receiving gifts, don’t we? I received a pedicure from my oldest son and his wife. See the pretty flowers? I loved having my feet pampered, but cringed with embarrassment when the petite woman took my foot in hand and said, “UGH”. I replied with a hopeful smile, “Big tip!” She nodded happily and I relaxed in the massage chair, hoping I was not the subject of her fast talking and silly laughter with her friend next to her.

What is it about people that makes them want to give a gift, even when they need their money for other things? I found a card by my bedside table and my heart swelled with emotion as I recognized the creativity of my sweet daughter. I’ve put up a blurry picture of it. She crafted a card to look like a Kindle and inside was a pocket with a $20 bill in it. You see, I have a Kindle fund and I am 2/3’s to my goal. Money is hard to come by for my daughter, so after a babysitting job she had extra cash and promptly gave some to me for my birthday. It makes her happy to give.

Are you a giver? Do you give of your money? Your time? Your expertise? I have found many givers in the writing community. I’ve had offers to critique my work, guest post a blog, and even brainstorm a bit. These writers are givers.

I often don’t give like that because I don’t feel qualified to offer my services. But is that really a prerequisite for  giving? Shouldn’t we want to give because we have received so much? There is always someone less experienced who could use some encouragement and guidance. We all were beginners once, weren’t we?

How has someone given to you? How have you given back?