My daughter and I watched part of Oprah's "Ultimate Favorite Things'' show on Monday. It was the second of back-to-back giveaways, and the last of her talk-show TV run. If you've never seen it, Oprah talks about the things she loves -- everything from a basil keeper to a Coach purse to a Pottery Barn jewelry box holding diamond earrings to, yes, even a Volkswagen Beetle -- and then presents every audience member with one of each item. As in, a basil keeper, the diamond earrings, the purse and the car ... and much, much more.

The audience goes wild and, several times on Monday, I could barely watch. Mostly because I wanted to be in Chicago at that show receiving those same gifts. I was jealous. Big time. Then my daughter pipes up: "Mom, wouldn't it be great to be there?! You know, to give away all of those gifts?''

Oh my gosh! Instantly, I felt very small and selfish. My daughter had the right idea, and certainly without any prodding from me. I was focusing on the receiving, my 11-year-old on the giving. It's not that it wouldn't be fun to get some gifts, she confided later, but imagine giving so much away. Lesson learned, just in time for Thanksgiving!