The act of giving is deeply ingrained in human culture, serving as a conduit for expressing love, gratitude, and appreciation.  When the gift transcends mere materialism and holds sentimental or intrinsic value, it becomes a powerful symbol of the giver’s emotions and the recipient’s worth.  Let’s explore the profound significance of gifting something precious, examining how such gestures strengthen relationships, foster emotional connections, and contribute to the enrichment of both the giver and the receiver.

SYMBOLISM AND EMOTIONAL CONNECTION

STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS

THE GIFT OF TIME AND THOUGHTFULNESS

Gifting something precious is not merely about the material item; it reflects the time, thought, and effort invested in choosing the perfect token.  The process of selecting a meaningful gift demonstrates a genuine understanding of the recipient’s preferences, interests, and desires.  This thoughtful consideration enhances the value of the gift, making it a manifestation of the giver’s care and attentiveness.

CREATING LASTING MEMORIES

Precious gifts have the power to create lasting memories the endure far beyond the moment of exchange.  Whether it’s a milestone celebration, a special occasion, or a spontaneous expression of affection, the act of gifting something precious imprints a memory on both the giver and the recipient.  These shared moments contribute to the fabric of relationships, weaving a narrative of shared experiences and emotions.

We now know the value of gifting something precious extends far beyond the material realm.  It is a profound expression of emotions, a catalyst for strengthening relationships, and a conduit for creating enduring memories.  The act of giving becomes a transformative experience, enriching both the giver and the recipient by fostering deeper connections and affirming the importance of shared moments.  As we navigate the complexities of human relationships, the thoughtful exchange of something precious emerges and such tokens become powerful symbols of meaningful connections, shared experiences, and enduring relationships.

The post The Significance of Gifting Something Precious first appeared on 365 Because.

i love you because…

Twenty four years since you left us, an yet it feels like yesterday.  You really left us too young [my mother was 47 when she passed], and while your life was not always easy…having you around always made my life better.  There are no words to thank someone who truly sacrificed everything for her family.

Our relationship was one of those classic “you don’t know what you have until you lose it’ kind of relationships.  I never understood how much easier life was with you around.  How although at times, I’m sure I made you crazy, you always took my side (even if I was in the wrong).  Even when I lost my way, you were always there to guide me back on track.  For as long as I can remember, you always had my back!  In your eyes I could do no wrong.

you always had my back.

You gave me the strength to take on the world.  You gave me the courage to challenge the norm and fight for what I believed.  You gave me the comfort of knowing I could fall, and you would always catch me.  We had a connection, a bond that no one can ever replace.  Just seeing you cry would send tears streaming down my face, seeing you laugh, would instantly put a smile on my face, and watching you live and breathe your Latin Roots, has planted the same roots deep in my soul.

Not a day goes by that I don’t wonder what we would be doing today if you were still here.  Eating, chatting, and crafting up a storm with some loud music on…or perhaps planning our next trip to Uruguay.  Whatever we would be doing, I know we would be together.

Today, because of you, I continue to invest and grow 365because…you are my reason to strive to achieve success.  I hope when you look down on us, you realise your sacrifices were not in vain and you are proud of what we have achieved.

~ I dedicate this to my Mum – Raquel Oliver

The post True Story No. 7 MUM first appeared on 365 Because.

i love you because…

When I look back on my childhood, I have nothing but fond memories and for that, I thank my parents.  Although we were never rich, we always had a warm bed at night, food on the table, and more cuddles than we could ask for.  We were blessed to learn two languages; play competitive tennis and I can still remember the day my dad came home with an Atari.

The only reason my sister and I were able to experience such a happy, safe childhood was because of the sacrifices my parents made.  When I think about what they went through to give their family a better future, words cannot express my gratitude.  We were born in Uruguay, a tiny country in South America and had we grown up there, our lives today, would be so very different.

Thinking back to what I was doing in my early 20’s, I could not imagine leaving my friends, traveling a million miles away, to live in a country I couldn’t even speak the language of.  Yet that is exactly what my parents did.  They left their family and friends…travelled to the other side of the world…and although English was not their first language, they both landed in Australia with two suitcases, two young children and two jobs (one each).

you sacrificed so much for us.

There is no doubt in my mind the decision my parents made so early in their lives, despite having a positive impact on our lives, was not always easy.  Many tears were shed while listening to a voice recorded cassette tape, the arrival of a handwritten letter or the occasional, old fashion house phone, international call.  I know it could not have been easy…at times scary, yet all along having to provide and protect your family.

I am truly grateful for all the sacrifices you made then and continued to make as I was growing up, oblivious to it all.  I’m grateful for the opportunities you allowed me to have.  And I’m grateful for the love you continue to give me today!  I hope when you reminisce on your life, it’s with a smile, a sense of pride and above all, a great sense of achievement.

~ I dedicate this to my Dad – Nestor Oliver

The post True Story No. 6 DAD first appeared on 365 Because.

Although my sister and I were always close, it was not until our mother passed away that we began to appreciate the friendship we had.  In my eyes, my sister has always been the most successful person, the most inspiring person and to this day remains the most influential person in my life.

I remember our mother always saying…’love your sister…there is nothing like sisters…you need to stick together’.  Those words will always be with me.

It was while I was at uni that I found myself struggling to find the perfect gift for my sister.  I wanted something that would be meaningful, that she did not already have and that would not cost me the earth.  I realised I was searching for something that I would never find.

I was searching for a gift that would show her how much I loved her…with that, I created my first ‘i love you because…’

we always stick together.

I remember that moment when I realised the gift, I wanted to get for my sister was not something I could buy off the shelf.  It was not something I could find in stores, nor was it something I could outsource and have someone make it for me.  I would need to invest my time, not my dollars if I was to create the perfect gift.  And that is what I did.

I went about gathering things that reminded me of my sister and times we had shared.  Some photos, some letters we had written when I first moved away (this was pre-Facebook days), I played some music we had danced to and I grabbed myself a drink.  I sat on the loungeroom floor with my things all spread out.  It was such an emotional experience.  One that made me feel so close to her, albeit 300km away.

As I sat and wrote my ‘i love you because…’ notes, one thing became evidently clear.  Every reason I wrote, every memory I had, every connection we shared…I knew that my sister and I would always stick together.

~ I dedicate this to my sister – Patricia Oliver

The post True Story No. 5 PAT first appeared on 365 Because.

There are people in the world who are just beautiful people…inside and out!  People who shine with such a bright light that draws you in.  They have this calmness about them that makes you appreciate the time you spend together.  I am thankful for every precious minute I have spent with my cousin Erika.

Life was never meant to be easy, and some people receive more than their fair share of challenges.  It’s how we ride these waves…how we come out on the other side that shape who we become.  Despite all the battles you have had to endure, you have grown to become a beautiful, caring, smart young lady.

you’re a survivor.

Never have I heard you question, deny, or complain about the cards you were dealt.  You just accepted it and took it in your stride.  Although there is no doubt it was hard at times, you maintained a level of innocence and joyfulness that I’ve always admired.  I wish we lived closer, so we could have played as children…I wish we lived closer, so we could share stories…I wish we lived closer, so you could shine your light on me.

While you have gone on to achieve many great things in your life, in August 2015, you blessed us all with your greatest accomplishment yet…Germán.  He is such a mini you.  He too has this aura around him that attracts nothing but positivity.  With you by his side to guide him through this wonderful world we live in, he is bound to have a long and happy life.

You should be proud of the success you experience today…I know your mum would be.

You deserve all the happiness in the world.

~ I dedicate this to my Cousin – Erika Cabrera

The post True Story No.4 ERIKA first appeared on 365 Because.