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MUSINGS ON LIFE
I think; therefore, I muse
 
DIANE HUGHES • NASHVILLE, TN
WRITER, EDITOR, CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL

The best Christmas gift

12/17/2011

16 Comments

 
christmas gift, true meaning of a gift, true meaning of christmasSometimes the true gift isn't what's in the package.
Excitement filled the air in the third-grade classroom as students anxiously awaited the exchange of gifts on the last day of school before Christmas break.

One by one the teacher called each name and presented students with their gifts. There were exclamations of joy as each child tore away the wrappings to reveal their treasure inside.

When the last name had been called and the final gift passed from the teacher to the waiting hands of its recipient, the teacher stood smiling as she surveyed the jubilant scene in her classroom. Then she noticed the brown-haired girl with blue eyes sitting quietly at her desk with an awkward smile. The little girl was empty-handed; she had no gift.

Deftly the teacher declared that she had forgotten something and disappeared briefly into her supply closet. She emerged with a gift-wrapped package and called the brown-haired girl's name. "This is for you," the teacher announced as she smiled and proffered the package.

As the little girl accepted the gift, she wondered why her present was kept away from the others. But in that moment, it didn't matter. The box she held returned her to the fold of acceptance, her brief stint as an outcast having perhaps gone unnoticed, saving her the painful embarrassment of grade-school taunts.

The little girl began at first tentatively, then excitedly, to tear away the paper and ribbons. The wrappings fell away to reveal the smiling face of a doll inside the box. The little girl grasped the doll and began to arrange its hair and straighten its clothes. She looked around the room at her classmates and proudly showed off the doll while examining and commenting on the gifts of her peers.

I'm not sure when I fully came to realize what happened that day. And I will never know whether the child who drew my name forgot my gift, could not afford one or simply didn't like me. What I do know is that sometimes the true gift is not what's in the package. All these years later, I still remember what that gift meant to me — not the doll itself but how receiving it gave me a sense of belonging. To an embarrassed little girl, that's the best gift ever.

To Mrs. Baird, wherever you are — be it on this mortal coil or enjoying your just reward in the hereafter — I wish you a heartfelt Merry Christmas. You will forever be a doll to me.

Do you have a memory of a special Christmas gift? Whether you gave the gift or received it, I hope you'll share your thoughts and memories in the Comments below.

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16 Comments
Rick
12/18/2011 10:20:19 pm

Poignant. ;)

Reply
Virginia
12/19/2011 12:10:44 am

I have goosebumps after reading your story, Diane. Your "sharing" is a gift.

Reply
Mark North link
12/19/2011 12:36:04 am

That's the nicest Christmas story I've ever heard. That teacher was one in a million and has probably had a positive impact on more people than anyone will ever know.

Reply
Diane Hughes link
12/19/2011 06:17:33 am

Thanks Rick, Virginia and Mark for your kind words. Glad you got goosebumps, Virginia! I did while writing it. :) Mark, that is high praise, and I appreciate it.

Merry Christmas, guys!

Reply
Kristy Hemp link
12/19/2011 06:49:47 am

Loved your story Diane! For some reason, I knew it was you right away, but I didn't want to glance down to the end of your story...just in case. It's amazing what we remember from our childhood, and how differently we look at those situations now. Thank you for sharing!

Reply
Diane Hughes link
12/21/2011 05:06:16 am

Kristy,

I think our "water cooler" conversation might have given you a clue. :-) Childhood experiences can have a profound effect on us -- for good and bad. This was a good one. Glad you enjoyed reading it.

Reply
Tess Hardwick link
12/21/2011 06:30:41 am

What a beautiful post. This made me cry! Thank you for sharing it with us.

Reply
Diane Hughes link
12/21/2011 08:00:11 am

Tess,

Those are good tears, and it feels good to experience them once in a while, doesn't it? I'm honored that my writing hit that emotional nerve. I'm going to go cry now...

Reply
Carrie Lundy
12/26/2011 01:44:43 pm

Beautiful, Diane! You're an outstanding writer. I DIDN'T know it was you, so I enjoyed the twist at the end. God bless teachers who understand the importance of "little things" to a child. Merry Christmas!

Reply
Diane Hughes link
12/26/2011 01:58:02 pm

Carrie,
Thanks so much for your kind words. I've been touched by the overwhelming response to this post. Little things do mean a lot -- to people of all ages. :-)

Reply
Yvonne link
3/23/2012 03:47:09 pm

What a warming story. You are absolutely correct, it's not always what's inside the box, the wrapping, that matters. I hope there are more "Mrs. Baird's" out there.

Reply
Diane Hughes link
3/24/2012 02:14:53 am

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking time to comment, Yvonne. I enjoyed my visit to your blog and reading about your Lenten sacrifice!

Reply
Elizabeth@Reticent Writer link
3/23/2012 03:51:46 pm

Lovely Christmas story. Thank God for teachers like Mrs. Baird.

Reply
Diane Hughes link
3/24/2012 02:19:35 am

This one was a pleasure to write, Elizabeth. Thanks so much for stopping by. And I enjoyed my visit to your site as well. :-)

Reply
Pish Posh link
3/23/2012 04:00:33 pm

This is wonderful! I love your writing and your blog! :)

I probably was that little girl myself many times.

Reply
Diane Hughes link
3/24/2012 02:30:16 am

And since you are also a teacher, Pish Posh, I'm sure you've been a Mrs. Baird a time or two in your career.

Your heartfelt words mean so much. After stopping by your blog, the feeling is mutual. I love your style and subject matter! And I am now one of your subscribers, so I'll get your missives delivered straight to my inbox.

See you around the blogosphere!

Reply



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    DIANE HUGHES

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