| Christmas gift-giving can be a trying | | | | to make his point. |
| experience. Shopping for just the right | | | | That Christmas, I didn't get a robe. But |
| present for everyone on your list | | | | I got a different sort of gift -- a |
| requires much thought. What do they | | | | subtle, unexpected one that doesn't wear |
| need? Is it the right size, color, and | | | | out, become obsolete or fall out of |
| style? What about the quality? The long | | | | fashion: the gift of understanding that |
| lines at the stores for returns the next | | | | it's important to take a stand for your |
| day prove just how challenging it can | | | | beliefs. |
| be. | | | | My father was a man of principles. He'd |
| And after all that effort, how long will | | | | go to great lengths to argue his case if |
| your purchases really last? In today's | | | | he thought something was wrong or |
| world of disposables, planned | | | | unfair. As a teenager, I often viewed |
| obsolescence, and ever-changing trends, | | | | him as stubborn, difficult, and even |
| it's rare to receive a gift that lasts | | | | embarrassing at times. But now, with the |
| more than a few seasons. | | | | wisdom of age and experience, I see him |
| For these reasons, Christmas presents at | | | | in a different light. |
| our house were sparse. To my perennial | | | | Through his commitment to his values, he |
| disappointment, my parents weren't much | | | | taught me an important lesson that day |
| into buying gifts. They had no patience | | | | at the mall. I didn't realize it at the |
| for the whole process. My father | | | | time, but it influenced me deeply. Now |
| especially lost interest when everything | | | | as an adult, I, too, am compelled to |
| started being manufactured in China. Dad | | | | speak out when I feel something isn't |
| was a proud veteran of World War II, and | | | | right. The values I speak out for may in |
| he didn't like the notion of our goods | | | | some cases be different from his, but |
| being produced on foreign shores. | | | | it's the commitment to them that |
| I recall one Christmas, after some | | | | matters. |
| prodding, he agreed to buy me a robe, | | | | Sometimes the gifts we receive from |
| but on two conditions. First, I had to | | | | others are not wrapped in paper and |
| pick it out. If he was going to buy it, | | | | bows. They are not manufactured, bought |
| he didn't want any guesswork. Second, it | | | | or sold. They are the gifts of teaching |
| had to be American-made. Simple enough, | | | | by example, of inspiring and motivating, |
| I thought. So together we went to the | | | | of passing on lessons of living. After |
| local mall, trudging from store to store | | | | the flurry of the holidays has come and |
| in search of a robe made in the U.S.A. | | | | gone, these are the gifts that endure. |
| Dad pored through the racks, | | | | I may have been shortchanged at |
| scrutinizing every label: Made in China. | | | | Christmas when it came to getting |
| Korea. Cambodia. Vietnam. (That one | | | | presents, but my father gave me a gift |
| really perplexed him.) Surprisingly, | | | | much more precious and lasting than |
| there wasn't one to be found. In each | | | | anything he could have bought at the |
| store, he confronted the sales clerk and | | | | store: strength of character and |
| asked why they had no robes made in the | | | | conviction. Top quality, perfect fit, |
| United States. I was frustrated and | | | | and no exchange or return needed. A |
| embarrassed, but he persisted. It was | | | | belated thank-you, Dad. |
| really important to him, and he wanted | | | | |