I'm usually reclusive from December until mid-January and occasionally until February, when I believe the holiday rush has passed and I want to visit with my best friend, who is my soul nourishment.
It's good that she feels the same about me, and whenever we meet, she encourages me to visit more often, as I'm low-maintenance and always welcome.
My friend and I don't celebrate Christmas, and exchanges of gifts are not necessary. However, she runs a chiropractic clinic and often receives gifts from clients.
One such gift was this box of chocolate, one of many boxes that my friend had received from patients, who tend to buy her chocolate knowing that she does not drink alcohol.
This unwanted gift box of chocolate from my friend then became an unwanted gift of mine, which I took, knowing that hubby would scoff them off in one go.
I felt good knowing that my friend felt comfortable saying that it was an unwanted gift, and I was straight with her, and I remarked, I don't eat chocolate, but I'm a lover of Ferrero Rocher," which she thought would be a great tagline, and handed me a few of them from her coffee table.
I was under the weather while visiting her, suffering from dehydration, so she was thoughtful and offered me this box of aloe vera juice, which helps me to absorb nutrients and also acts as a detox.
These two items—food—are ideal gifts for minimalists, and chances are that they will be highly appreciated and used, as opposed to items for display that can be cumbersome or, worse, act as magnets for dust, especially for people living in small spaces.
My friend knows that I'm keen on anything to help boost my immune system, and this box of aloe vera juice from the reputable Forever Living brand was more than a kind gesture, as having a glass on an empty stomach is a great way for me to start the new year with a healthy habit of looking after myself.
Overall, gifts don't mean or matter much to me or my friend, and our most memorable topic over chatter was that of connection.
We reflected on our present lives and acknowledged that we're both independent women of similar backgrounds, of islanders from contrasting yet similar cultures. We've both been here in the UK for many years and have grown with our partners here. For her in particular, with grown kids who have also emigrated to other countries, we understand the importance of connections and having a support network, more than just an exchange of tangible material gifts.
That short visit with my friend was uplifting and the best gift to her and for me.
As I sat waiting for my train, which had a long delay, I felt lucky that my train was the only one that hadn't been cancelled due to flooding.
I thought about how special it is that although we might only see each other once or twice a year, whenever we meet, we can have deep, heart-to-heart conversations and let each other's guard down.
This for us is and has always been the best gift that we give to each other, and in moments like these, we identify that the worst kinds of unwanted gifts are having the wrong people in your life and the importance of nurturing connections and making the right choices.