Today after the book reading group at church my friend Daniel walked up to me carrying a box in his hands. "Merry Christmas Jamie", he said handing me the box. "I was shopping for some things and saw this curling iron. I thought you might like it. Merry Christmas."
I was very excited as I struggled to open the box. I'd been wanting a curling iron and had been looking at some in the 20 to 25 dollar range but money still being rather tight I had to pass on it. I hadn't told anyone about wanting this, my hair is getting fairly long and because of the hormones is also getting thicker. It looks okay just combed nicely but a curling iron could work wonders. He handed me a key to cut a piece of tape that was holding the flap on the box closed. The key worked to cut through the tape but I was so excited about this gift I kept fumbling and couldn't seem to get it open. This wasn't just a cheap curling iron but a very nice professional type. Daniel offered to help taking the box and opening it for me.
He opened it and handed it back to me. I took the curling iron from the box and looked it over. It had a special motorized roller, different temperature settings, a timer to keep it tight for just the right amount of time and release it for the perfect curl, a beautiful carrying case, and much much more.
"Oh thank you thank you Daniel. This is incredible. You shouldn't have spent so much money but thank you so much", I told him. I was happy to nearly the point of tears and gave him a big hug. "I know you aren't really the hugging type but you know me...Please, just this once."
Daniel just smiled and said, "It's okay. I really didn't spend that much. But I saw it and thought you'd really like it so I got it for you. Merry Christmas."
Why is it that something like a curling iron could make me so happy? Let me tell you a little more before I explain. Okay? Thanks.
Last week I went to my friend Joy's to go for our regular walk. We sat down at the kitchen table for a few minutes to chat before walking.
"Oh by the way" Joy said, "I was going through some clothes to donate and found these shirts. You really need to wear something nicer than that old grey shirt... something a little more feminine. I saw these and right away thought of you." It's been getting cooler now with winter coming and I really did need some nice long sleeve tops but there's that old money issue getting in the way again. These shirts were very nice and I was thrilled to get them.
What's the big deal about some hand me downs? Just a little more and I promise to get to the point.
Last week Curtis and I were shopping for things for the Tree Decorating party, game night, and Campfire at the church. We needed to get things like food, little gifts, and other odds and ends. We seemed to keep going past the isles where they sell makeup and things. Curtis was teasing me a bit about how all these seemed to have "Jamie" written all over them. He is quite funny and always keeps me laughing. A minister that was previously a stand-up comic can have a special sense of humor. Curtis excels at both.
At one point we passed a section with makeup brushes. I saw some on sale that I really liked, I suppose it was obvious that I really liked them and wanted them but had to put them back on the shelf and walk away. Need I bring up the financial situation again? I won't. And I don't mean to sound as if I'm so poor and struggling just to survive, it's nothing like that at all, but I do have to watch my spending on things that aren't really necessities. Things like curling irons, long sleeve shirts, and makeup brushes have to stay low on the list.
So guess what? After we had gotten all that was needed for the celebration we went through the cash register line and he paid for all the things we'd gotten. After all the bagging was done Curtis reached into a bag and took out the makeup brushes I'd liked so much. "Merry Christmas Jamie." He said handing the package to me - he had paid for some of the things out of his own pocket and my gift was of course among those items. I was so happy, with a huge smile on my face I accepted my wonderful gift while seeing myself using them in my imagination.
There's been more. But this is enough for you to get the idea and now I can get to the point (finally).
Why do I get so excited about these things? It's not that they're rare or expensive gifts. They're not things I'd searched high and low for. I'm not so materialistic or spoiled that I have to have everything I get a little whim for. None-the-less these things are very special treasures to me. Think about it. Daniel during his busy day saw something he had no use for himself but thought, "Jamie would really like this." Joy while trying to get some work done saw some things and thought, "Jamie would really like this." Curtis in the hustle and bustle of shopping and party preparation saw something and thought, "Jamie would really like this."
I love my friends so much. They're very special and talented people who I look up to. We have many heart to heart conversations about the important things in life. I like to get them gifts too when I can. The thing is that it's not so much the material things we exchange that mean so much but the fact that someone who holds a special place in our heart feels the same way about us. We see each other as precious enough that just imaging the smile it will bring is a gift we can all share.
Happy holidays and the best of blessings to everyone. I wish for many moments of happiness for you and the very special people in your life. I hope my little stories that I share can bring some joy and a smile to you. I was sitting here getting ready for bed and thought to myself, "This may be something you would really like." It's not much but I hope it makes you happy.
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