1) The gift of Listening: But you must really listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.
2) The gift of Affection: Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
3) The gift of Laughter: Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
4) The gift of a Written Note: It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
5) The gift of a Compliment: A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
6) The gift of a Favor: Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.
7) The gift of Solitude: There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
8) The gift of a cheerful disposition: The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You.
Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care.
As printed in the VHL Family Forum 7:4, December 1999. For permission to reprint, please contact VHL Family Alliance, editor@vhl.org. Further information is available from the VHL Family Alliance, info@vhl.org.
