Meredith Stewart: The Best Gifts

photo: Sarah Stewart

by Meredith Stewart:
It’s that wondrous, magical time of year again. Not only when the TV channels begin playing marathons of your favorite Christmas movies, but also when people make a little more effort to show their love and appreciation for each other by exchanging gifts, visiting loved ones as often as possible, and by reaching out a little more charitably to their fellow man.

I think here in our community we are some of the best givers around. It’s part of our heritage. From a young age, most of us are taught it is better to give than to receive, and to be a joyful giver. One of my favorite memories as a child was going to visit my great-grandma Martin. She lived in a tiny house in Glasgow, and I knew exactly what I would receive every year for Christmas from Grandma (a box of chocolate covered cherry cordials), but it wasn’t the candy that mattered—it was the time spent with Grandma that was the real gift. She would never let you leave hungry. Grandma always had beans and fried potatoes to eat, and she would generously offer that humble fare to her company with a “it’s not much but it beats a snowball, honey.” I think even as a small child I somehow understood that I was giving her a little something back too just by being me and spending time visiting her, because Grandma’s face never stopped shining like a Christmas tree the whole time we were there.

So, if you’re having trouble coming up with perfect gift for someone or there just doesn’t seem to be enough money in your budget, I would encourage you not to overlook the value of a phone call to a loved one or even a hand-written letter. There are plenty of organizations that need volunteers this time of year as well.

​Yes, kids love to get toys, gift cards, or cash, but most of them appreciate spending time with their loved ones or a thoughtful homemade gift, too. The gift of our time is perhaps the best gift of all. 

​Meredith has strong family ties to Edmonson County and she and her family live in the Smiths Grove area. They belong to and faithfully attend church at Pleasant Union Baptist Church (Steep Hollow). When she's not writing, she enjoys embarrassing her kids by breaking out in random song and dance moves in various stores throughout our community. Someday she hopes to check surfing and learning to play the mandolin off her bucket list. You can email her at [email protected].