Time to give

I work for a commercial insurance brokerage. We're the go-between, between your agent and the insurance carriers, and we're most often called upon when you've got something out of the ordinary to insure. Need wind coverage for your hi-rise in Florida? No problem. Product recall for your amazing new diet pill? Consider it done. Want to insure that special part of your exclusive new adult film actor? Actually, yes, we can find someone to do that.

We're a sales organization selling something that everyone needs, and as such the company does fairly well. Some years are better than others obviously, but overall business is good and everyone is fairly comfortable. We make good money, and then at Christmas, we spend. Its when we turn our attention to adopting families for the holidays.

We partner with the social workers at an area grade school, find out what their needs are, and go to work. Families get filled into spreadsheets with ages and sizes and interests. Spreadsheets are distributed to those who want to participate. You can shop yourself, or you can write a check and someone will shop for you, whichever you prefer. Emails are sent back and forth so that all the kids get even and equitable coverage. A couple of outfits and a toy or two are the baseline. Watching everyone blow right past that minimum is the best part.

It never seems to me that the families ask for much. It's often basics like socks or a sweatshirt. We make sure they get that and then some.

My adoptee, or I should say "our" adoptee as Brett always goes in with me, is seven years old. He likes Bakugan, which I was unfamiliar with, until we got to Target. I asked a mom in the boys department about sizes and we got to talking. When it came to toys I said "I can't remember what it was, it sounded japanese." "Oh Bakugan," she said, "It has its own aisle, you'll see the sign."

We got a starter pack, a special attack, and two traps. Paula at work evened things up by providing a Bakugan hat and glove set, some Bakugan bath gel, two collector figures and a book.

Off work today, I went back to Target and took care of the clothing. The bootcut jeans and layered tee I would totally wear myself. The cargo pants as well, with the navy buttondown and long sleeve white tee. It's hard to see but there's also a black hooded rugby there that goes with both pants, the white tee works under that as well. Oh, and a black belt. (With an antiqued silver buckle!)

So I'm heading off to wrap packages as tomorrow is delivery day. And just like every year, it's one of my favorite parts of the holiday. I hope he likes his stuff.