I wrote this short story 5 days before Christmas, 1997. Of course, I wrote it with a special someone in mind, but I believe that the message it conveys is universal. I hope you enjoy it...

~The Gift~

The Christmas holiday had approached quickly. For weeks I had been trekking through the malls, scouring the catalogs...trying to find just the perfect gift to give my love...the gift that would show her how much she meant to me. I was quite pleased with my progress so far, as I had picked out the perfect hat, a bright shiny sparkly ring, plenty of warm clothes, and sexy nighties.

Here it was now, Christmas Eve morning, and I sat on the floor surrounded by boxes and bows, ribbons and tags, paper and packages. With each item I wrapped, I took great care to get all the folds neatly creased, to use just enough paper, not too much tape...each one got a coordinated bow and a cute little tag. For hours I sat, and wrapped and wrapped and wrapped...delighting in the neatly stacked mountain of gifts growing before me. I beamed with pride at the success of my efforts, and gloried in the thought of your smiling face when I would arrive at your door later that night bearing my treasures. So engrossed in my task was I, that I never saw the snow starting to fall...mounting quickly over the frozen ground.

When finally I arose, and walked to the window to stretch my legs, I was astonished to see that the entire landscape had been blanketed with 8 inches of snow already. Good grief! What was I to do now? You were expecting me by 6pm...'twas already 3pm, and I still had to shower, get dressed, pack the car, and drive for 2 hours! In a panic I flew to the bathroom to start my preparations.

Once my shower was taken, and my hair had been dried, I looked out the window again...MORE SNOW!...There must have been at least 10 inches now, with no signs of stopping. I dressed myself in my best Christmas outfit, and began loading the stacks of gifts into large shopping bags to put in my car. Then I bundled myself like Frosty the Snowman, and began packing the trunk... packages... clothes for the coming week.

Now, almost 4:30 I knew I'd be late. I started to call you...then hung up the phone. "If it is snowing there, she will tell me not to drive...and we have been planning on this for months! Just gotta hit the road, and make the best time that I can" I told myself. So I locked up the house, climbed in the car, and started off.

The going was slow...almost a foot of snow had now fallen, and everyone was creeping towards their destinations. I glanced at the clock on my dash...5pm ...5:30 ....6:10 ...7pm. There was no turning back now, so I occupied my thoughts with visions of you nestled by the fire...dressed in that lovely little black and white outfit we had picked out for you over Thanksgiving. The thought of spending our first Christmas together filled me with glee, and the vision of your twinkling eyes and loving smile helped me to pass the time....7:45 ...8pm ...8:45... As I slowly climbed the hill to your driveway, the anticipation was almost choking me. I could hardly catch my breath as I climbed your front steps, bags in tow, and rang the doorbell with my elbow.

I was so happy to be there, that when the door opened, I bound through with a bellowing "Merry Christmas!"...and went right to the tree to unpack all my wears. As I unpacked each bag, I babbled about losing track of time, the incredible amount of traffic, the snowy driving conditions... never once looking up from my task. Finally, satisfied with the spread I had laid beneath your tree, I stood and turned...only to find that you were not smiling...and to realize that you had not spoken a word since my entrance. Instead, I was taken back by the tears tracing a path down your reddened cheeks.

"What's wrong?" I asked, not able to believe that you could possibly be sad with such a glorious site before you. "I was worried sick" you said softly. Suddenly, ashamed at my selfishness, I moved toward you, took you in my arms, looked you in the eyes..."Oh darlin...I am soooo sorry. I was just so excited about being here with you...I should have called." And then without waiting for a response, I followed with "But honey, I am here now...I am safe and sound with you...and look at all these presents! I can't wait for you to start opening your gifts!" For a long moment, you said nothing...just stared back at me. "You don't get it, do you?" Again, I was baffled, and somewhat ashamed, as I really didn't understand. Finally, after another long pause, a small thoughtful smile began to appear on your face.

"My sweet one...I was so worried...not knowing if you were alright. And yes, I see there are lots of packages...beautiful ones at that. But none of it means anything to me....without you." Baffled, I attempted a stammered, "But..."

"Shhhhh" you said, placing a warm gentle finger to my lips.

"My dear loving woman...all the wrappings and bows, boxes and bags...all the lovely items encased in those packages...mean nothing to me...without you here to share them. YOU are the gift I have dreamed of...the ONLY package I need. It is the gift of you that I have been waiting for...the gift that I am most greatful for." And in that very instant...that frozen moment in time...I realized how foolish I had been. All my shopping and running around, the dozens of catalogs I had gone through, the hours I had spent wrapping. None of it was necessary. The only thing this lovely lady cared about was being with me. And it was then, that I realized I had received my Christmas gift...the greatest gift of all...I had been given the unconditional love of the one person, I adored more than life itself. And I began to smile, as I held her in my arms, knowing that we both had received the only gift we really cared about...the gift of each other.

copyright Š1997 Bonnie S. Pease

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