Gifts

Time & money only please

It's that time of year again. Charles and I do not exchange gifts for xmas, birthdays or anniversaries. I am not much of a gift person. Only when I was very young did I like receiving gifts. I think of the terrible xmas gifts given to me: dried fruit, a hideous cookie jar made of some cheap made in China material.

Food is complicated for me because of a lack of colon and diabetes. I don't want food as gifts either.

I live in a small apartment and am maybe twenty or so years away from death. I don't have room for stuff. And I don't want whoever gets stuck with getting rid of it all after my demise to have a mound of useless junk to move or throw out.

I am broke. I need money for rent and food. I need time with friends. I need to exchange creative work and ideas.

Sometimes people who know me exceptionally well will give me books. This is lovely but for the most part, I cannot fit more books into my apartment.

Recently a dear friend gave us a thank you gift. It was nice to be thought of but I didn't want it, nor did I feel I could pass it to anyone else. I hemmed and hawed. Then I made the decision to ask if I could return it. They have many times over bought me lunch, coffee, beer and spent time with me. I don't need a material embodiment of their care for me. I just need their friendship.

I have wonderful and caring friends. They are my family. I love them. I count many of you as friends. So I ask you, if you are tempted to demonstrate your care and friendship, please do so in the form of time and attention. And if you are concerned about my financial well being and want to help me pay my rent and groceries, that would be great. You can send money via EFT to Amanda at amandaearl dot com or become a paid subscriber or buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/amandaearl.

Or you can donate to your local food bank or shelter. The holidays are a tough time for those without housing or enough food.

Thank you for your care and your friendship. Since Charles was laid off a year ago, so many of you have offered help and support. I am so grateful for community, and friendship, for you. You're amazing.