What is a Gift from the Heart?

Standing in line at the post office with over a dozen parcels in my hands, someone tapped my shoulder gently.  When I turned, she said in a quiet tone, "You have a long line of toilet paper behind you."  Mmmmm.... I wonder how many people had a smile when they saw that; yet one woman was kind enough to let me know.

My birthday party last month was at a swanky Italian restaurant and I was surrounded by family and friends.  I dressed up for the affair and found the perfect pair of (brand new, of course) pantie hose to match my black and white polka dot top.  When it was time to hug everyone goodbye at the door, I stood up and my pantie hose fell down.   I immediately sat down, motioned for a close friend to loan me her wrap and continued to hug everyone from that position.  Husbands of friends have had a field day with this and love teasing me mercilessly.

These are memories we won't soon forget but they always bring a smile even though they were embarrassing at the time.

In this month's blogging challenge I was asked "What is your very best Christmas memory?"  I don't have to dig very deep to respond quickly.  

It was Christmas Eve 1987.  There was little money for gifts or a turkey dinner, which was a harsh reminder of how difficult the year had been. My husband and I were going through a rough patch of difficult times.  It seemed that no matter what we did to get ahead, we were thrown two steps back. We had taken a huge financial loss that year and did not have any income at the time. Jobs were more than scarce and every day seemed to bring a new dilemma.

I had taught my children that there are things a lot more important than exchanging gifts, but every parent loves to watch their kiddie’s eyes light up when they open that one special present.  The lesson I was about to learn and one that my children will always remember is that the best gifts are from the heart and cannot be bought.

My favorite spoon that I used for cooking was a long-handled metal one with a rubber end to protect your hand.  While preparing our Christmas Eve dinner, the rubber end broke off of it. Without warning, the floodgates opened and I began to weep.  All the pent-up emotion of our circumstances poured out.  I sat down on the kitchen floor and cried. When my husband heard me, he came into the kitchen and saw the broken spoon in my hand.

Gently, he removed the spoon from my grip and laid it on the counter. He took me in his arms and held me.  No words were exchanged.  There was no need.

The next day was Christmas and we woke up to a snowfall.  Perfect. We lived in a remote area surrounded by acres of woods. The beauty of the forest was breathtaking. What fun we would have playing in the snow with our children.  The freshness of the pure white snow seemed to send the message that this new year would be a new beginning. I found solace in that.

I knew the children would understand why there were only some small gifts for them under the Christmas tree, but I certainly wished there could have been more – at least the bigger items they had put on Santa's list.  I was thrilled knowing they had used their imagination to make a small token of love for each of us.

We finished opening the presents, and I went into the kitchen to prepare Christmas dinner.  Then I saw it. On the kitchen counter was my spoon – my favorite spoon.  I couldn't believe my eyes. It had a new wooden handle. I had no idea where my husband got it or how he did it, but he had found a perfect piece of wood to fit the spoon.  My spoon.  It could still be used.  I got so excited that I believe the children were concerned Mom had lost her faculties.

The lesson the children learned that day was priceless. They witnessed the joy that comes when giving a gift from the heart.  All of us have had experiences like this that make us realize what is important. What love means.

That was almost 30 years ago and I am still using that spoon.  Every.  Single.  Day. Every day I am reminded that I need to find a way to make a gesture, no matter how small, to show appreciation to those I love. We may never know the impact we might have on someone's life from a small act of kindness on our part. I know I will never forget what my husband’s loving act meant to me because I am reminded of it every time I use that spoon. 

The challenge for this post was submitted by Rena from Blogging 911 

Here are links to all the sites now featuring Secret Subject Swap posts.  Sit back, grab a cup, and check them all out. See you there:

Baking In A Tornado
The Lieber Family Blog
The Bergham Chronicles
The Blogging 911
Cognitive Script
Climaxed
Part-Time Working Hockey Mom