THE BEST GIFT EVER PART 18

Today's memory comes from my dear friend Kate whose friendship is such a special blessing to me. Her touching story reminds me that the best gifts are always the ones given from the heart.

 

Mike, I think we all know that a gift can come in many shapes and sizes. Although I can recall some wonderful presents I received in my  childhood, I think the one that left an indelible mark on my heart was a present I received from one of my students.

As a teacher of young children I always felt so privileged to see the world through their eyes. As Christmas in Australia also marks the end of the school year, teachers tend to receive many gifts. Sophie, one of my students, came from a very disadvantaged background and had very little parental support. I had always made a point of thanking students privately for their gifts but their excitement was often very difficult to keep hidden.

This particular student had very little support from home and certainly no means of bringing a gift for me. So I was very surprised when she skipped up to me one morning with what appeared to be a shoebox size present for me. It was not wrapped as such, but instead was covered with drawings. Sophie's eyes were filled with excitement as I peeled off the many layers of sticky  tape. She kept reminding me, "It's a big present isn't it!" Bigger is always best at that age.

As I removed the lid I discovered four items. Sophie eagerly explained why she had chosen them.

There was a pretty leaf as she said she knew I loved trees. She assured me that the tree hadn't been hurt as she had found the leaf on the ground.

There was a shell as she said she knew I loved the sea and that if I held it to my ear and listened hard I may even hear the sounds of the waves, like I had shown her in class one day.

And there was a small stone. Thankfully, she explained that it was heart shaped and showed that she loved me.

The last gift was a feather. She included that as one day in class we had discussed something we wished we could do and I had told the class that I would like to be able to fly.

What more can I say? That box in my eyes was indeed the " biggest" gift I have ever received and in so many ways the most precious. 

I framed Sophie's gifts as a reminder of the true meaning of gift giving.