Deanna Beaver
Recently, I met up with a friend. We try to keep in touch by phone once or twice a year. On this occasion, we met in person with our husbands. She gave my granddaughter a precious gift that someone gave to her grandmother in 1915. What a treasure. No other information except the park where it came from. (Antique Road Show comes to mind)
The white ceramic cup is definitely unique with glitter lettering spelling PRESENT surrounded by raised ceramic blue and red flowers. I chuckled when I thought about who might have gifted this to my friend’s grandmother. Perhaps they said, “I gave you a present,” and maybe she responded, “Thank you for the label, is this a code word? The cup is beautiful.” Just saying.
Being an amateur word sleuth, my mind took me in another direction. What does “present” really mean? Well, if you have children or are trying to teach someone to read, you know how the English language can have various definitions for the same word. According to Merriam-Webster, “present”https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/present(8 April 2026), “present” refers to something that is happening now or can be a type of gift. (Logical.)
For my blog today, I’ll stick with these two definitions, but I thought you might enjoy the ones below as well. English is not an easy language to learn.
Noun (1)
Verb
Adjective
Noun (2)
I digress.
Seriously, the word present on the cup caught my attention. I decided that this must be a God Wink. What does it mean to be present? How can I be present for those around me? At present, I am reading a fabulous book, The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans. I instantly related to this collection of letters between the main character and her friends and foes.
I have saved letters, cards, and voicemails from my husband, children, parents, brother, nieces, nephews, aunts, grandmothers, cousins, and friends. I have letters from my husband that he wrote while we were dating long-distance. There wasn’t an immediate response like texting. I couldn’t talk to him every day on a cell phone, but I could reread those letters about ordinary things happening in his life and respond to his questions the next time we talked or wrote. What a present to reread them 38 years later.
I know that texting is one of the “new” ways of communicating. It is more convenient for some people. Nevertheless, there’s something about someone taking the time to sit down and write a conversational text, letter, card, call or a visit that makes you feel present in their life.
Have you sent a reel to someone? My phone will attest to those large attachments. Life may cause us to communicate differently; however, I am trying to be more intentional about being present in others’ lives. Just saying.
Thank you for engaging with me today. How do you exemplify being present in your relationships? Leave a comment below.
Very special article.
Judy, thank you. It made my heart sing when my friend presented the “present” cup to my granddaughter. Now that was special.
Sometimes, I missed the times that I grew up in Sandy Springs. During my childhood memories we were all connected because we did not have phones and computers with us all the time. We had to call on the phone, that we shared with the family, that hung on the kitchen wall. We wrote letters to family and friends who lived far away. We played outside before dinner until night came upon us. Looking back to my childhood memories we had so much fun when we came together in person. Yes, technology is good, but when it consumed your everyday lives and you do not have personal relationships, then it is not good. Spending time together without media connection is more rewarding and fulfilling. Enjoy all your connections with your family and friends without media connections and see which one is more meaningful. Have a blessed weekend.
Thank you for this sweet reminder. The cup is beautiful and how precious of your friend.
Cindy, I really felt honored that she thought to gift it to Haley. She is a very kind soul.
What a sweet gift for your granddaughter and a reminder to be “present in the present”!
Patty, that is exactly what I thought. I am working on being present.
Do NOT faint – actually leaving a comment. To be present this day and time is when someone really listens to what the person talking to him/her is saying. If appropriate responds back. To really listen to someone – I think- is to get rid of distractions . Sometimes that’s not possible but many times I can turn the TV off. I can stop REALLT STOP thinking about something yet try to focus on what person is saying – giving maybe 95%. Do I want someone to focus af 95% that I’m saying or do I want 100%? Hmmmm- think about it
Sandra, you make me laugh. I did not faint. I jumped for joy to hear your response. I concur with your sentiments on being present. I have experienced both. At this point in my life, I might settle for 95% of the time having someone focus because 95% is higher than the 50% that seems to be the norm. Please let me know if I lose my focus with you. I am interested.
Love this article! I am going with the noun definition of being in the moment. Our sweet grandson is a gentle reminder of how great simple things are ~ giggling, digging in the dirt, the wonder of leaves moving in the breeze, the sound of birds, children’s laughter, saying the blessing at meals & the present list is endless.
Missy, exactly! I feel so blessed, as I know you do as well, to be able to experience with our grandchildren in the “present.” I am thoroughly enjoying experiencing the world again through the eyes, ears, and hands of little children.
It’s hard for me to “be present” as much as I’d like because I feel pulled in so many directions. (Good directions, but challenging st times.) YOU are so good at being present! I think I try to have the more intentionality with the grandkids, like others have said above, because as grandparents, we realize how truly fleeting this time can be!! I’ve always thought it was the little things that seem to create the biggest memories … like when my grandson throws rocks in a pond or we follow the butterflies in the yard or swing for hours in the backyard, just chatting and listening to music!!!