In this, the season of gift giving, I'm thinking about timeless gifts to give and receive.

These gifts can't be put in a box or gift wrapped. But they can be freely given. Best yet, they cost absolutely nothing.I was given one of these gifts when I was standing in line at Sam's Club with a hot chicken burning my hands. Since I was only buying one item, I didn't bother with a cart.While I was looking around to see where I could put the chicken while I waited in line, a woman in front of me saw my dilemma. "Here, get in front of me," she said.Like a chain reaction, those ahead of me in line insisted I check out while they waited.That's definitely the gift of kindness.The more I receive the gift of kindness from others, the more I want to give it away to others.Most of us have special gifts, yet many of us don't realize how gifted we are.There's a quiet guy in our church who has the gift of kindness in spades. Although Bob doesn't say much, his actions say it all.When someone new comes into our meetings, Bob makes a point of sitting with him and chatting so the newcomer doesn't feel awkward.When chairs have to be arranged or someone has to stay after a meeting to put the room back in order, he does it without being asked.A retired plumber, he's been known to make house calls to give someone a hand - all without charge.And when a wall needed to be painted, he did it.Quietly, in his own way, he showers the gift of kindness on all who need his help. Yet when I told him I noticed he gave away the gift of kindness, he was truly taken aback."I don't see myself as having any special gifts," he said.A lot of us are like that. We are fast to acknowledge our failings but slow to see the inner gifts that make us special.My friend Fran has the gift of encouragement. She always seems to find the perfect thing to say that lifts up spirits and makes others feel better.She volunteers with a program our St. Vincent de Paul Society offers to help people find their way out of poverty. One single father trying to raise five children after his wife died admits he is mired in problems and drowning in depression."I never want to come to class each week because I'm so weighed down by what's going on in my life," he told me. "But once I drag myself in the door I find Fran can quickly make me glad I came. Her encouragement makes me think maybe I can do it," the father told me.It's not that Fran solves his problems for him. She simply gives him the encouragement he needs to tackle his problems.I understand how she does it because if I talk a problem of my own over with her, she never tells me what to think. She just gives me the encouragement I need to do it myself.Some people have the gift of fortitude - they seem to have an inner strength that keeps them going no matter what hits them.Did you ever notice how some who have to deal with a problem let it drag them down to the point where they find it hard to function? But others are gifted with an inner strength that helps them survive one trial after another. They have the gift of fortitude.My friend Jean has the gift of a happy heart. She tells the story of taking her 80-year-old mother to a waterfront restaurant for her birthday. But nothing pleased her mom, and she complained a lot.Jean said, "It doesn't matter if it's raining and if you don't like the food. Let's just enjoy each other's company. I'm happy just to spend the day with you."Her mother looked at her and said, "You have the gift of a happy heart. You always had it."Jean says that's true. But she never thought of her happy disposition as a gift until her mother said that.That's one particular gift I also have and I thank God, the giver of all gifts, for it. I know it wasn't something I learned or earned.After researchers spent years investigating what actually makes people happy, they determined 50 percent of our happiness is due to genetics, 40 percent due to intentional behavior and 10 percent to life circumstances.So the way I look at it, some of us were given a head start on the gift of happiness even before we were born.Some people have the rare gift of listening. Instead of just waiting for a pause in the conversation so they can talk, some truly listen and care about what you're saying.Some have the gift of caring. Some are peacemakers. Others have the gift of wisdom while some have the gift of understanding.All of that brings me to the important gift of gratitude. The more we are aware of all we have been given, the more gratitude we have. I'm sure each of you can name numerous other gifts.So here's the question: What gifts do you have?Contact Pattie Mihalik at

newsgirl@comcast.net.