Part two of two
In the season of gift-giving, several of our local citizens were asked what very meaningful or life-changing gift they have received over the years. Thinking of “gift” broadly, it was suggested the gift might be material, but more likely other categories like wisdom, advice, intervention, spiritual encouragement, etc. It might be realized as a gift only in retrospect. I reached some of the interesting people I wrote about in the past in this newspaper. Below are the responses from some of them. In the December 6 edition, Part 1 gave stories from: Alicia Fink, Barb Deming, Buck Noble, and Lori Skoog.
Dr. Jim Goetz
I have received so many gifts in my lifetime: Terrific parents, a great education, a meaningful job, a wonderful wife and family, a terrific community, to name a few. It is difficult to distill them down to one. As you see, none of these gifts relate to material goods. I think the unifying theme to the gifts mentioned, and the biggest gift
I have received, is “love” — both how to receive it and how to give or express it.
Once I fully understood that happiness (mine and those around me) was not only enhanced by love but defined by it, my entire outlook on life changed. This “gift” has been given to me over a lifetime by family, friends and teachers. Love is the gift I treasure the most.
Sarah Hart
I was 25 when my mother died. Debate and drama ensued over settling her estate, as my sister had chosen to live in the family home. Living in my in- laws attic, baby expected, we needed a house. Fortunately my in-laws swooped in to help us purchase an older house full of artistic and architectural character.
A small gift from the estate was finally received, and with my passion for old homes, coupled with my husband’s carpentry skills, we first used this money to save a dilapidated Park Avenue home. Today, we have leveraged that money into a thriving rental business featuring only Victorian buildings. The rehabilitation of these buildings has helped teach our children a work ethic, afforded me studio space at the local art gallery, and kept us close as a family. With that gift my mother’s legacy is alive and well.
Peggy Hale
My significant gift is the ongoing experience of God’s grace. There have been and are many people in my life who, through their behavior, have been the hands and feet of God and a witness to his grace. I am grateful for the presence of other children of God in my life. The gift of gratitude for God’s grace– made known through such people as my husband David, my children, grandchildren, parents, other family members, and the community of Brockport/Sweden, is a daily experience which brings many other gifts to me.
Chet Fery “The Bread Man”
A few years back a student surprised me with a Christmas gift wrapped in used wrapping paper. I asked and she helped me unroll the abundance of tape that consumed the small package. I smiled as a beautiful snow globe was unveiled, but was distracted by another student. To this day, I wonder if I properly expressed my heartfelt gratitude for this thoughtful gift. Years later I realized she gave me two gifts that day. The snow globe was a life lesson to never miss the opportunity to to express gratitude for an act of kindness.
