So apparently I was on the naughty list. Again.

I truly prided myself on being an okay adult this year (honesty counts right?)…worked my ass off for an organization that does not even provide the padded seating for spin bikes when you’ve worked said “ass” to the bone…! But hey, they pay me just enough to make sure I keep coming back every day so you know how that goes.

I filed my taxes on time. I tithed and I stuck with the gym thing ALL year…ok for most of the year but I did manage to lose 18lbs and change how and what I eat, that has to count for something right? RIGHT!? I made it through a whole year and did not commit homicide or bomb any office buildings, strangle any co-workers or even give in to the rage that only seems to manifest itself as road-venom.

Thus, it was pretty fair for me to expect the following presents under my tree:

1. Keurig B70 Single Brew Coffee machine, Crockpot, Ice cream maker and a convection oven.

2. Padding for my spin bike.

3. No more bloodshed in Trinidad & Tobago except for like a splinter in your finger.

4. A disciplined Football (read soccer for some of you) team (Real Madrid, CBTT, QRC, SOCA Warriors etal…)

5. A never-ending supply of mini hand sanitizers preferably of the Bath & Body Works variety.

6. A pen that appears exactly when I need it.

7. No more vampires…masquerading as politicians, I deserve to have leadership I can be proud of.

8. A beam-me-up-scotty-thingee (these can come in handy like you wont believe)

9. A complete Apartment Make-over.

10. Some chunky double chocolate chip cookies that are all you can eat with none of the fat. (This one was supposed to be a one-off, one time thing.)

I got none of the above.
Nada. Zip. Zero.
Not even a hand sanitizer!

Instead what I got was something totally different.

Instead of presents this year, I got presence.

I got time spent with my family and friends. The full, undivided attention of my beloveds, filled with belly laughs and good food.

There was a popular advertisement on TV that asked over the holiday shopping rush: “How do you know when you’re loved?”

I know…because TIME is actually spelt like LOVE

…and today…that is all I gave and received.

Your presence is a present to the world.