of the story, Purple Memories.
My Christmas gift to you.
The Christmas bustle had
settled with opened gifts sprinkled around the family room. In keeping with
tradition, Grandpa and Grandma watched their large family unwrap the presents
and prepared to dole out hugs and smiles.
Leah stayed in the room
after the grandkids dragged their new toys to other parts of the house. She and
one of the uncles scooped pieces of wrapping paper and shoved them in a large
trash bag.
Grandpa handed Grandma a
gift from their stack. She accepted the small box and gracefully removed the
paper. She opened the box lined with blue velvet and squealed. “You shouldn’t
have. This cost too much.”
“Of course I should.” He
took the necklace, opened the clasp, and fastened it around her neck then
kissed her.
She wrapped her hand around
the stone and smiled. They had their own way sweet way of communicating. He
bought her expensive jewelry, she complained about the cost then they kissed
and smiled as though they were newlyweds.
Leah had hoped to grow old
with Jerry in the same way. A month after their second daughter was born, he’d
taken her to a fancy restaurant and held her hand. “The night of our honeymoon
we shared our dreams. I don’t want you to think I forgot yours. Someday I will
take you to Europe. We may not be able to afford it until we’re old—” he
squeezed her hand. ”I had planned to give you a special present tonight, one to
remind you not only of my love, but my intent to fulfill your dream one day.”
The next day a drunk driver
stole Jerry’s life from her. Ten years had passed and his family became the
source of comfort, sent by God.
She reached under the tree
for some wadded wrapping paper and noticed one gift that had been missed. It
had been pushed behind a thick pine branch. She crawled under the tree and
loosened the present from its binds. This was the same gift found in the attic.
She took the present too her
mother-in-law. “This gift was hidden behind a branch and missed. Do you know
who it is for. There isn’t a nametag.”
Her eyes widened and she
touched her hand to the purple ribbon. “This, I believe, is for you.”
Leah handed the package to
her mother-in-law. “It can’t be. The kids found this in the attic earlier when
playing.”
She tipped the box and
sighed. “So that’s where it went. He couldn’t find it, searched the whole
house.”
“Who couldn’t find it?”
She touched the ribbon
softly then handed the gift to Leah. “Jerry. He wrapped this gift for you.”
Leah sat back in her chair.
Her heart beat with such intensity she could hardly breathe. She gently opened the paper, wanting to
save every piece including the ribbon and found a white box. She opened the lid
and gasped. “A bracelet. Look!” Hanging from the chain was The Eiffle Tower,
Big Ben, and several other charms. “And between each one is a small opal.”
She turned to her
father-in-law. “Will you help me put it on?”
“Of course.” As he pulled
the backing to remove the bracelet, a small piece of paper tumbled out of the
box.
Leah hands trembled as she
unfolded the paper.
Dearest Leah, I have invested a small amount of money
in an account for our trip. It isn’t much, but someday, after we add more funds
and accrue interest, we should have enough to take our trip. I loved you
yesterday, I love you today, and I will love your forever.
Her father-in-law had removed
the bracelet and held it ready to fasten to her wrist. “He had the information
coming to our address. Probably wanted to keep it a secret until he had enough
saved. The paperwork is in my office. According to the last statement, you
should have enough to take the trip.”
He turned to his wife and
winked. She nodded as if understanding the secret code. “Leah, as a special
Christmas present from us, we’ll pay for the girls to go with you.”
“You will?”
“You are our daughter. Of
course we would.”
Leah touched each charm on
the bracelet representing places Jerry would have taken her. She never expected
to be part of a family so filled with love.
Because of this family she
felt so very blessed by God.
May you see blessings from God
I hope you enjoyed your gift.
Merry Christmas
Comments
Thank you so much for your lovely story and Christmas gift. What a beautiful way to spread love and joy on the most important day of our year. May God bless you always for your kindness.
Blessings,
Dorothy M. Bond-Dittmer
Don't forget to grab a virtual Christmas cookie. Oh, and leave the wrapping paper. I'll clean after everyone has gone.
Looking forward to seeing you again.