A Christmas Tale

The gift

He stopped at the store right after work and picked out the perfect present.  He held it in his lap admiring the skillful wrapping he would never be able to imitate. It wasn’t as expensive as he’d like, but he knew she would love it.  The last few month’s had not been easy for them.  First, it was the baby, then his job.  Things were definitely looking up now and he wanted her to know that they would be all right. He put the gift on the empty seat beside him as he checked his watch.  He slipped the pretty package into his coat pocket as the train pulled to a stop.

Everyone was in a hurry. They all needed to get home, and the crowd surged forward, pushing and shoving. He moved with the tide of bodies till he could finally see the exit. He smiled with anticipation. 

He walked briskly with a bit of a spring in his step. As he reached his destination he saw the Christmas tree twinkling through the window. He hadn’t felt this much Christmas spirit since he was a boy.  He entered the warm, cozy home and they embraced, their joyful tears mingled together once again.

He reached in his pocket to retrieve the gift—but his hand felt nothing.  The crowd the pushing, the shoving, somehow it must have fallen out. 

“I had a gift, and it’s gone!”  He moaned.

“You are a gift.” She replied with a smile.

***********************************

May we all feel the true spirit of Christmas and enjoy the gift of love

Crystal