The Perfect Gift
November 30, 2006
The all too familiar sound of the bell erupted in the building, making conversation impossible for a few seconds and when it died, the students started talking again. The heat was almost unbearable and the two ceiling fans spun furiously trying hard to provide some relief and succeeding only to some extent. I looked out the window and the small black bird was there again, flapping its wings in the wind. “Hello, old friend, nice to see you again” I said soundlessly and smiled.
I took my book and prepared to go out of the classroom, only to be stopped by a: “Happy Birthday!” said in a cheerful little voice. My eyes descended to the floor and there stood one of the best students in the class, a very clever and polite little girl who was looking at me smiling, a white paper bag in her hands. This she thrust forward with a happy grin spread all over her face.
“For me?” I ask and she nods once, vigorously, her oversized front teeth making her smile even more noticeable.
“Oh, thank you!” I answer and the child in me is filled with unexpected joy. For a moment I don’t know what else to say and I find myself returning the smile.
“That’s very nice of you”, I say, and she looks at me shyly and slightly embarrassed. My hands take the white bag from her and I try to stop the little voice inside who’s urging me to open it, now, quickly, hurry up. But I wait until I am safe in my office and the others have left for lunch.
The white bag has some drawings on it, tiny balloons and a few English words written in a clumsy and endearing way. Inside there’s a box wrapped up in red shiny paper. I tear the wrapping apart and the voice in my head says hurry, hurry and I give in, ripping the last remnants of the paper (damn that scotch tape!) and exposing a rectangular box. A folded note comes into view and I read it, eagerly. The “Happy Birthday” song is on it with two musical notes marking the beginning and the end and this brings another smile to my face. I fumble with the box trying to guess what’s inside, o delicious moments of anticipation, and I remember all birthdays and Christmas holidays when, as a child, I did the exact same thing. There is nothing like those moments when you wake up knowing that you’re going to find a present and wondering what it could be…..and as the present comes into view you start wondering, not exactly daring to guess, just keeping an open mind and hoping that whatever it is, it would be something nice, something you will like, something special.
In the box there is a little purse with a metal chain linked to the zipper. Letter “D”, my initial, is at the end of the chain. A fresh smile blooms on my face…. and I realize I’ve just received the perfect gift, made perfect by the innocent and happy way in which it was given to me, by the little song and the penciled balloons on the paper bag and by that letter, dangling at the end of the metal chain. Details.
Christmas is almost upon us and with each day that brings it closer I find myself thinking of snow and carols, of red hot wine boiled with sugar and cinnamon and my mother’s cakes. And presents, of course, lots of presents to buy and maybe to receive. I find it equally enjoyable giving presents, watching the other person receive the gift with a surprised look on their face, wondering if they should open it on the spot or wait for later. There is magic in the air every time someone receives a gift or gives one. The magic of things happy and unexpected and of joy, but most of all, the magic of childhood where all these things come from.
Comments (3):
Pilgrim:
Hello Lilla, welcome back! Thanks for your positive comment. Happy belated birthday, Johanna, I hope you had a wonderful day! May all your wishes come true!
Johanna Baker-Dowdell:
What a wonderful story - even moreso because it was my birthday yesterday! I remember this feeling from childhood, but have kept it as an adult and I hope to intil the same in my young son.
Lilla:
I loved this story, it is inspirational... reminded me of how lucky I am to have children... I don't have to always think of myself... how boring that would be... great story!
We all have stories to tell. Sometimes we bring them forth and sometimes we keep them buried. Here are my stories. I hope you will enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them. 
