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