The Greatest Gifts: Time, Art and Man's Best Friend

NBCPhiladelphia.com is asking well-known, and not-so-well known, Philadelphians two questions this holiday season: What is the best gift you have ever given? What is the best gift you have ever received? Here are some of those stories:

Malcolm Lazin is the Founder and Executive Director of Equality Forum

The Best Gift I Ever Received:  Art and a Boy’s Best Friend

As a child, it was receiving my first dog. I was around 10. The dog was really more of a mutt with a wonderful personality and was given to me by my uncle.

I think dogs are really special, and certainly adult have a connection with animals. But I think children and seniors have a unique connection with animals. I had a playmate – someone to share with my friends.

There’s nothing quite like having a dog to greet you when you come home from school, wagging his tail.

As an adult, it was a Pavel Kapic painting. He has a signature style, usually involving landscapes that he does from memory.

It’s important to me because Pavel is a noted artist and he’s my brother-in-law. The painting is of the U.S. Consulate General’s home in Bermuda. I was invited to stay at the home and brought my sister and brother-in-law. As a gift, Pavel gave me the painting.

The Best Gift I Ever Gave: Time

I worked in a soup kitchen over the holiday. The best gift is giving of yourself, and to those that are less privileged than you are. During the holiday time we have so much in abundance and it’s a blessing to give to folks who are needy.

Food and family is such a primal thing, a primal experience. There’s always something very special about the breaking of bread.

 

READ: Best Gift I Ever Received: Mayor Michael Nutter

READ: The Greatest Gift I Ever Received: Chef Jose Garces

READ: The Greatest Gift I Ever Gave: Tony Luke Jr.

READ: Greatest Gifts: Philly Conductor

READ: The Best Gift I Ever Gave: Philly Bartender

 

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