Red wine and Altoids, do not mix. But continue reading mamas and see how I masterfully meld these two opposite ingredients into a nice big slice humble pie. I promise I won’t make you taste test.

I am not Catholic, and I have never done Lent. But I like the idea of temporarily giving up something as a gift to God.

One recent evening, I shared my curiosity about Lent with husband. I told him I would was thinking about participating this year and I that even had the perfect item I was going to give up. Like a toddler looking for praise from a parent, I told hubby I was giving up red wine for Lent.

Yes mamas, I see the irony. But, hey, Jesus’ first documented miracle was turning water to wine.  And I know for a fact, that God has an amazing sense of humor.

Hubby politely and profoundly pointed out the flaw in my thinking. My proposal wasn’t really a complete gift if I was giving up one type of drink versus all alcohol.  This poignant truth rattled me. He was right.  I was trying to give God a gift, but not really. My half-hearted gift and motivation was exposed. I felt shame and embarrassment wash over me.

Lent hadn’t even begun, and I already failed. I had missed the point entirely.

Recently I saw firsthand what genuine real life gift giving looks like. Stay with me mamas, it involved a humble Altoid mint.

My last family visit was awe-inspiring on a whole new level.  Just when I think I can’t possibly adore my twin nieces ‘the bubbies’ anymore….

This happened:

It was 4:30am and I was headed to the front door, attempting to leave quietly for my early morning flight.  Naturally klutzy, this task is easier said than done. Suddenly, I had to make an abrupt stop! Overnight, the front door had become decorated with love notes from my bubbies. The notes were on post its and tucked into the door jam. Then my gaze was directed down to the base of the door where I saw ‘the gift’.

Earlier in my trip my older bubby had brought out this tin of Altoids. I didn’t know they made wintergreen flavor! I told her how much I loved this flavor; it was my favorite! The next night came around and out came the tin again. It was so precious for her to share her wintergreen treasure with me. This was becoming a very sweet tradition.

Imagine my sleepy eyed surprise when this very tin was placed on the floor, my companion for the lonely plane ride home.

The magnitude of this gift for an 11 year old struck me. She didn’t have a secret stockpile of Altoids tins laying around.  There was no back up tin. Giving up this tin meant she was giving everything, indefinitely. 

Did my bubby consider whether or not she could replace her treat, before gifting it away?  Did she ask herself if her health conscious mama would let her replace these mints? Did these mints have approved ingredients?  What about the logistics? Would she find this unique flavor again?  How many stores would she, could she, visit in search of her replacement? How fast could her supply be replenished? Would it ever?

Above are the thoughts of a selfish adult. I am guessing not a single one of these traipsed through my bubbies mind.  She gave from her heart, without a single selfish consideration.

Unlike my red wine ‘gift’, I was given a true genuine gift from an 11-year old; both the wintergreen altoids and a valuable lesson.

My humble pie is now baked and ready to eat. Cheers.