This is the time of year when everyone seems to have that happy holiday spirit. We want to reach out and show others that they are special by giving a token in the form of a gift. And it’s fun to receive them, too, all wrapped in brightly colored paper, ribbons and bows.

Gifts don’t always have to be wrapped in colorful paper and just given at birthdays and holidays. They can be given on a daily basis and come to us in all different ways.

As a small child, the first gifts I recall hearing about were gold, frankincense and myrrh. They were given to baby Jesus by the three wise men at his birth.

We are souls dressed up in sacred,
biochemical garments, and our bodies are the instruments
through which our souls play their music.

Jan Phillips

The other night I went to my daughter Theresa’s house for dinner. It was a bit chilly so I wore my burgundy velvet, hooded jacket. I love this jacket. It belonged to my sister Dannie. Every time she wore it, I complimented her on it. We joked about it and she would say that when she passed on, I could have her jacket since I loved it so. Never did I think that would happen. Dannie and I were very close. She passed away two years ago. Afterward, while sorting through her clothes, I remembered the burgundy velvet jacket. I asked my sister René if she knew where it was. She told me it was in the front hall closet where Dannie had hung it. I carefully took it off the hanger and put it on, wrapping it around myself. I felt comforted. I put my hands into the pockets and the left one had something in it. It was a small picture of Theresa when she was younger. She was lying on my bed watching tv with the cat on her back. Dannie loved that picture of her and she had a deep love for Theresa. She always said Theresa was her “baby girl.” I’ve continued to carry this picture of Theresa in the left pocket as Dannie did. When I wear the jacket I will often reach my hand in and take the picture out and feel the love and admiration that Dannie felt for Theresa.

Getting back to the night I went to Theresa’s for dinner... I wore Dannie’s jacket. When I left, I forgot it. Theresa brought it to me the next day. I didn’t realize until later that day that the picture was missing. I pulled the pockets out. There was nothing in either pocket. How could this be? The picture was gone. How could it have just disappeared? The next day was November 11, 11/11. I wore the jacket again. This time when I reached into the pocket, the picture was there! I was stunned and elated at the same time. How could this re-appear out of nowhere?

It was almost 11 am. Cindy and I were the only ones in the office that day and at the very moment of 11:11, we joined hands and went into the silence. Someone had walked into the office and I looked up to see who it was. Sheryl had come to pick out some books to review. I went back to meditating. Sheryl realized what we were doing and sat in the lobby meditating as well.

After meditating for a few minutes, we walked into the room where the books were. Sheryl had on a comfy, cozy, oversized jacket. It was lambswool inside and the outside was of tan suede. I told her that I liked her jacket and it looked cuddly. She said it was given to her by Rev. Max Lyn Tucker who had passed away about four years ago. He had been her mentor and friend and she had also taken meditation classes from him. Sheryl said he must have known he was going to die because he gave her things that were special to him several months before he passed.

Sheryl suddenly blurted out, “Wanna hear a story?”

“Sure” we both said.

She related how happy she was when Rev. Tucker gave her the jacket. Although it was too large for her, she loved the way it felt. She said it was like being comforted by Rev. Tucker. The first time she wore the jacket she reached in and found wrapped candy in the left pocket. Max always carried candy in his pockets. Sheryl went on to say that when she put the jacket on the day before she came to our office, she noticed that the candy was gone. She was puzzled because she was the only one who wore it. That morning, as she put the jacket on to come to the office, she felt something rolling down her right sleeve. It landed in her hand. It was the missing candy.

Amazing, huh? Just as amazing as the picture of Theresa re-appearing in the left pocket of Dannie’s jacket.

Gifts come to us in all ways and in all forms. Not always wrapped up packages. They may appear as someone opens the door for you, smiles at you, does a favor for you. These are all blessings in our lives and are given out of unconditional love.

Sheryl and I received gifts from Spirit, letting us know that Dannie and Rev. Max were still with us and being playful.

It’s so comforting to know that those we have loved in life don’t leave us. They come around to let us know that they are here. And all we can do is be grateful for the experience and say “thank you.”

Our bodies are the instruments
through which our souls
play their music.

Gerri Magee is director of advertising and public relations and assistant to the editor of phenomeNEWS. She continues to share her thoughts “On The Path” in this column. You can write her at gerri@phenomenews.com.