There is one object that truly changed my life.... and I ordered it off of Amazon.
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I think it's hard to find tangible things that have a profound impact on your life. Sure, there's important items and things you love. I have had my stuffed animal Lambie since I was six and even now she stays snuggled in amongst the pillows on my bed. I have a water bottle I really like and a bracelet that means a lot to me, but yet, none of those things have changed my life. The thing about these less than ground-breaking items, is that I see them everyday, whereas I only see this unforetold object once a year.
The time of year when the weather turns cold and trees go up and bright lights shine through windows. When the kitchen is filled with scents of chocolate and peppermint and when hot apple cider tastes the best. When the same twenty songs get played on repeat and when the post office is at it's busiest. This time of year is centered around loved ones and kindness, but we all know that it's presents that really steal the show.
And that's what this something is: a present. It is a present I got for my parents last Christmas. I knew it would be different then any other gift they got, so I also made it unlike any other gift they would open.... and I wrapped it 14 times. Then I watched as they peeled off each layer of wrapping paper and unpackaged each box until it only tissue paper remained. As the final thin layer crinkled to floor, my mom was left holding up an ornament by a string. It was shaped like a heart and said one single word.
Now once more, at this time of year, my mom holds up that ornament. She hangs it carefully on our tree, it's rainbow stripes vibrant against the dark pine green. The sparkles on it are illuminated by the soft white lights that are wrapped around our tree and make the whole room glow. My mom pulls her hand away after making sure the letters are facing forward. They spell out the word, love.
This object changed my life and I couldn't be more grateful. It's how I let others in and took a weight off my chest that I didn't always realize I had. It opened the door for me to be myself with my family and strengthened my relationship with my parents. But it also helped me be honest with my self and feel safe to keep exploring who I am. And hey, I'd say that's pretty profound.