I went Christmas shopping Friday evening in a local Department Store in the downtown area of my community. It's a wonderful store, timeless and traditional. The sales staff are older than those in most stores and they know the merchandise. The store has six floors of shopping, escalators and even a restaurant complete with a lunch counter. It's a dream, a throwback, a wondrous place and, to me, it does not feel like Christmas until I have gone there shopping.
After making a few purchases I stopped by the fine jewelry counter. While waiting for the salesperson to show me something from the case, a man standing next to me seemed restless, almost fidgety. He was my age, or perhaps a bit older, and appeared to be dressed in his work clothes. He wasn't dirty or disheveled but he must have stopped in right after working. I smiled at him and went back to waiting for a clerk. About a minute later he came closer to me and wanted to know if he could ask my opinion on something. My opinion is something I give often, without having been asked, so naturally I was willing to oblige! He had made his choice but wanted to know what I thought. He had chosen an exquisite Venetian glass shaped heart with 24k gold swirled inside. It was a beautiful piece, any woman would appreciate such a gift.
Apparently he had only been dating the woman he wanted to give this gift to for a short time. He didn't want to appear too pushy but he had feelings for her. He said he intended to tuck a little note inside the box before he gave it to her. The note would say..."You captured my heart". What a lovely gesture and I told him so. He was happy to discover I agreed with his choice of gift....as well as how he wanted to present it.
This woman is lucky. Lucky to have someone put such care into a gift for her. Lucky to have someone want to make sure the gift was special, thoughtful, make sure it was perfect. Later that night I thought about the gifts I have received over the years. Mostly the ones from my husband. When we first met he was a great giver of gifts, thoughtful and imaginative. The element of surprise was a strong theme. Over the years he has given me a wide range of offerings, each and every one appreciated.
Over time the gifts seem to have changed as has his dedication to choosing them. He has a hard time now finding something for me. He'll tell me I am hard to buy for, that I have everything. He'll sometimes want me to tell him what I want, or better yet, go out and pick it up myself. He'll say that this way I'll have what I want. I always decline that one.
It surprises me that, after all of this time, he does not know me well enough to understand that it's not the gift to me ... but the thought behind it. I don't need to be wowed. He doesn't have to "out do" the previous gift. Simply put I just want to be thought of. I don't care what he gives me. The smallest gesture is always the best with me. A tiny offering that says...this made me think of you.
The best gifts, for me, are those that don't cost very much but are priceless. They reflect the heart of the giver. They reflect their intent, their care. They reflect what I mean to them. They mirror the givers feelings for me. The gift, over time, can be taken out, again and again, and the lovely sentiment returns. Each time I would look at it I would know the loving thought behind it and the genuine spirit in which it was given. It's the gift that keeps on giving.
It can't be any simpler.
Indeed
After making a few purchases I stopped by the fine jewelry counter. While waiting for the salesperson to show me something from the case, a man standing next to me seemed restless, almost fidgety. He was my age, or perhaps a bit older, and appeared to be dressed in his work clothes. He wasn't dirty or disheveled but he must have stopped in right after working. I smiled at him and went back to waiting for a clerk. About a minute later he came closer to me and wanted to know if he could ask my opinion on something. My opinion is something I give often, without having been asked, so naturally I was willing to oblige! He had made his choice but wanted to know what I thought. He had chosen an exquisite Venetian glass shaped heart with 24k gold swirled inside. It was a beautiful piece, any woman would appreciate such a gift.
Apparently he had only been dating the woman he wanted to give this gift to for a short time. He didn't want to appear too pushy but he had feelings for her. He said he intended to tuck a little note inside the box before he gave it to her. The note would say..."You captured my heart". What a lovely gesture and I told him so. He was happy to discover I agreed with his choice of gift....as well as how he wanted to present it.
This woman is lucky. Lucky to have someone put such care into a gift for her. Lucky to have someone want to make sure the gift was special, thoughtful, make sure it was perfect. Later that night I thought about the gifts I have received over the years. Mostly the ones from my husband. When we first met he was a great giver of gifts, thoughtful and imaginative. The element of surprise was a strong theme. Over the years he has given me a wide range of offerings, each and every one appreciated.
Over time the gifts seem to have changed as has his dedication to choosing them. He has a hard time now finding something for me. He'll tell me I am hard to buy for, that I have everything. He'll sometimes want me to tell him what I want, or better yet, go out and pick it up myself. He'll say that this way I'll have what I want. I always decline that one.
It surprises me that, after all of this time, he does not know me well enough to understand that it's not the gift to me ... but the thought behind it. I don't need to be wowed. He doesn't have to "out do" the previous gift. Simply put I just want to be thought of. I don't care what he gives me. The smallest gesture is always the best with me. A tiny offering that says...this made me think of you.
The best gifts, for me, are those that don't cost very much but are priceless. They reflect the heart of the giver. They reflect their intent, their care. They reflect what I mean to them. They mirror the givers feelings for me. The gift, over time, can be taken out, again and again, and the lovely sentiment returns. Each time I would look at it I would know the loving thought behind it and the genuine spirit in which it was given. It's the gift that keeps on giving.
It can't be any simpler.
Indeed
1 comment:
Wise words.
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