I came at Christmastime bearing gifts,
not of gold, frankincense and myrrh,
but instead of contemplation,
intelligence and mirth.

My offering was time:
the chance to step away
from the duties, the struggle
of her day-to-day.

I thought my kindnesses
would somehow extend
needed emotional relief;
a heart-felt helping hand.

But gifts that ignore another’s deeper need
are simply signs of my self-centeredness and greed.