And the Winner For Best Surprise Gift Is....

In honor of the 27th anniversary of the greatest day in the history of me, people far and wide made offerings to me. These included a roll of wax paper, a box of generic brand toaster pastries, a pair of jeans, and a plush dinosaur head on a stick. And while this is seems like a strange assortment of items, they're all quite fitting and none too surprising in the grand scheme of things. But the best gift I received this year is one that is kind of unexpected. A charitable donation in my name of three rabbits, via World Vision.

"Wait. Did I read that right? Did Dan just say that the best gift he received was one that he didn't actually receive??"

Yes, you did. I did receive a card in the mail from Tom and Jean, the kindly philanthropists who made the donation, stating that I am now "part of something special". And it's flipping awesome. Why? Let me tell you!

1. I like to give. It's true. I like to give. I like knowing that I've helped the community or individual or local music scene, that I've done my part. I don't usually have the opportunity or resources to give, and, more often than not, I can find something much more enjoyable to spend my money on, but deep down I like to give. That's one of the reasons I'm a fan of Brad Yoder. He finances his albums by taking loans and grants from fans and they, in return, get a copy of the album and their name in the liner notes. That takes us to the next item...

2. I like recognition. I'm a horrible person who greatly prefers to give if other people know about it. I can only think of one time in recent history when I gave without getting recognition, going so far as to give the recognition to someone else, and it was such a pain in the butt and hassle that I don't expect to do it again soon.

3. I have enough stuff. I have somehow become the man who has everything. Every birthday and every Christmas, people start asking me what I want, and every year the list is shorter and shorter. I need a new laptop for when I start school, which my mom has made a grand donation of her own towards, but that's such a giant present that I don't feel right asking for it. Even when she offered the money, I told her to hold on to it until I know exactly what kind I want, since I'm much more likely to just spend it on windows or other home repairs. But I have clothes, I have pets, I have a means of transportation, and I have a comfortable life. There really isn't anything that is quite obviously missing (especially since I already bought myself a new camera). So another trinket or dollar-store gift is hardly what I need*.

4. I wasn't expecting a gift. Jean is great. Tom is great. I don't know when their birthdays are, and I don't know that I would get them gifts if I did. In turn, I didn't expect them to get me anything, either. So the card coming in the mail was a total surprise. Like finding a quarter. Good in a better than mediocre way. Not mind-blowing, but cool.

Combining these four items, we end up with an unexpected gift that allows me to give AND gives me credit for it, while being meaningful and, most importantly, didn't require me to do a damn thing. I feel good, I feel better about myself, and I didn't have to lift a finger or pay a penny. It's all win for me.



* I still love the trinkets and dollar-store gifts everyone else got me. I don't need them, but I love them all the same.