Rockefeller Center

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving my parents and brothers flew to New York for the holiday.  Due to fog in Tulsa that morning, their flight was delayed and instead of getting in around noon, it was early evening before they made it to Kayla's apartment.  After a long day of travel not everyone was up for heading out in the city, but mom and Justin decided they would join Kayla and I for a trip to Rockefeller Center.

We walked around looking at the lights and watching the ice skaters down below.  The Christmas tree was up but surrounded by scaffolding, so we couldn't see it, but there were plenty of other holiday lights and decorations to enjoy.  We browsed in the stores that were open and window shopped those that were closed for the evening.  This was Justin's first trip to NYC, it was so much fun to see the city through his eyes!  Here are a few sights...

My mom and I...

Justin and Kayla...

Rockefeller Center was built by the Rockefeller family.  A plaque posted in the plaza lists beliefs of John D. Rockefeller, first stated in 1941.  It's a beautiful statement worth sharing.

"I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession a duty.

I believe that the law was made for man and not man for the law; that government is the servant of the    

          people and not their master.

I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it 

         owes every man an opportunity to make a living.

I believe that thrift is essential to well ordered living and that economy is a prime requisite of a sound financial 

         structure, whether in government, business or personal affairs.

I believe that truth and justice are fundamental to an enduring social order.

I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man's word should be as good as his bond; that character not 

        wealth or power or position - is of supreme worth.

I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind and that only the purifying fire of 

        sacrifice is the dross of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul is set free.

I believe in an all-wise and all-loving God, named by whatever name, and that the individuals highest 

        fulfillment, greatest happiness, and widest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His Will.

I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will 

        triumph over might."

I am blessed by giving.

I love to give gifts.  I don't spend a lot of money...for those that have received something from me recently and thought otherwise, now you know!  I do not spend lavishly, on the contrary I spend very conservatively.  I either get good deals on the items I purchase or I get creative with my choices.  It brings me tremendous joy to purchase, wrap and give gifts to my family and friends.

I do not give anything with the expectation of getting something in return.  I give because I love seeing the smiles on the faces of those that open them.  I give because I love seeing the surprise on the face of those that receive.

For me giving takes a variety of forms.  It may be something I purchase and wrap.  It may be inviting people over for a meal.  It may be sharing things I've created with others that may be able to use them.  Whatever shape it takes, giving makes my heart happy.

I am blessed by giving.