The Giveaway

When I was little my grandpa used to read Reader's Digest. Now as an adult, I find myself reading Reader's Digest as well. It is a guilty pleasure and some months it takes longer to read through then others and then before I know it the next issue arrives.

I read certain sections before others and then go back to what I have skipped.

This month, was a great article called "Letting Go" by Litty Mathew. It tells the story of "The Giveaway" or Wopila. As the article states it "is a tradition of the Lakota Sioux, on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota that on important occasions-birthdays, weddings and funerals-they pass out gifts rather than receive them; including their own prized possessions."

What a great tradition to follow. To be so free to let go of what you value the most. Over time we all accumulate possessions that really should be given a life to someone else to be recycled, one could say for a new use.

I thought of my daughter's favorite possession and that is a bath lobster named "T". "T" was not new when it was given to her. "T" came from some special friends whose twin daughters had outgrown it. From the get go at 4 months old, Emma has loved this lobster. This love was only possible because "T" was a giveaway.

I think of how to instill in Emma that giving is always better than receiving and to "giveaway" is important.

In this time of Thanksgiving, where so many people are in need, a "giveaway" tradition should ensue, a valuable lesson from the Lakota Sioux.



Emma asleep in the car with "T".