© 2003 Arleen M. Kaptur

A home is "where the heart is." This has been used in books, songs, and in greeting cards. It is as modern as tomorrow but with a history of yesterday. A person's home is where you are always welcome, accepted and cared for. This "care" comes in all sorts of ways and degrees, and sometimes it is just in the mind and spirit when a person travels or commitments carry them far away.

There are "little" things that make a home. That quilt that grandma made is just the ticket when cold winds blow or it's just been a bad day. A collection of embroidered towels not only add a touch of beauty to your kitchen or bath, but are softer and more skin-soothing. A canning jar filled with hot cocoa mix, brownie mix, or soup mix will always taste better, hit the spot, and go down with a smoothness that no store-bought, brightly over packaged, concoction can ever do.

A painting by your aunt or uncle is a treasure for that wall in your den, as much as that "famous name" one that graces your front hallway. You pass that one by so many times coming and going, but you stop in your tracks so many more times in your den.

Christmas stockings made by your sister or that rocker built by your brother just set the mood for the Holidays and for a wonderful evening in front of the fireplace.

Candles made by a friend, spice mixes or potpourri prepared by your neighbor, well these are all part of the joy of friendship, but they are a bit more. All of the above are, of course, hand-made or homemade, but they are also Heart-made. Nothing made with your hands can ever leave your hands without a bit of "you" sticking right in there. In other words, whoever cared enough to make you a "special gift" also cared enough to share a "bit of themselves" right along.

You are so much richer for these gifts, and the cold nights ahead won't seem so cold, and the darkness of winter won't seem so dark. There is sunshine in love and warmth in caring. Those Heart-made gifts have these two qualities in abundance - to receive them - you are indeed blessed; to give them - well, God needed helpers on earth to spread the true meaning of Christmas and friendship and you have undertaken that job.

ENJOY!

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