The Best Gift I Was Ever Given
TV ClubHouse: Archives: The Best Gift I Was Ever Given
Marysafan | Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 09:41 am     Okay...how about the other side of the coin? My best gift ever arrived for Chirstmas in 1971. My daughter was born in April of 1971, and my husband was deployed to the Mediterranean in June of that year. I stayed in Norfolk, VA in our apartment for the duration. We wrote often to each other...but sometimes communication isn't the best. One time he told me that they had gotten "cholera shots"...which I read as "colored sheets"...he was totally confused when I wrote back and asked him what color his sheets were! One day, he wrote to ask me what I might like for Christmas. He had been deployed to the Carribean the Christmas before and the one before that we were enroute from California to Virginia so we spent Christmas in the U.P. of Michigan with our families. Even though this was technically our third Christmas together...it would the first one in our own home with our new baby and after a six month separation. He was due back home the week before Christmas. Now as far as I was concerned...that was the best Christmas present and that one was coming from Uncle Sam. Still hubby wanted to get me something special. I gave it some thought...I decided what I really wanted was a nativity set. Being that he was traveling in Italy, France and Spain. I thought this would be a perfect place to get the "ultimate" nativity set. I wrote back and told him what I wanted...."I would really like to have a "big" nativity set." What I meant was...that I wanted one with Kings and camels and shepherds and sheep and angels. etc...the WHOLE 9 yards. BUT hubby took it to mean that I wanted one with large figures! I still laugh when I remember the stories the guys would tell me how hubby dragged them all over the place looking at nativity sets until he finally thought he had found the perfect one. The one he bought was in Palma De Majorica. It has the most absolutley beautiful figures. Mary has dark hair which is a big deal for me. The Baby Jesus is so big that there is no way possible this woman gave birth to this child...but he is beautful and is in a wonderfully made hand crafted manger filled with straw. Joesph stands tall watching over his family. A small angel hangs from above...and the biggest cow and donkey lay to each side. No shepherds...no sheep ...no Kings...no camels....but LOTS of straw! Not at all what I had wanted...but so much more than I ever dreamed! Every year when I set it up, I am reminded that it is not getting what we ask for...but rather receiving with gratitude gifts of love. That gift set the tone for all the Christmases to follow. Every year hubby asks me to make out a list...I never get anything that I put on the list. He just uses it as a "guideline" and finds me these wonderful gifts that I never would have thought to ask for. He loves to surpise me. The nativity set is still my favorite...I learned so much. Yes..I know...I am blessed. We don't have much...but we have the important stuff. |
Djgirl5235 | Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 11:15 am     Mary - you definitely are blessed! I can just see him trying to find the perfect set!!! What a lucky lucky woman you are!!! My best gift, it usually changes year to year, but there is always one that will forever stick out in my mind. My dad and I are not the closest people (See Best Gift Given), but we're both generous people. My dad cheated on my mom which broke up the family, as well as cause a lot of guilt on his part. Our Christmases were getting absolutely ridiculous with the amount of gifts under the tree from he and his wife. In any case... I started playing piano when I was 5, and would play almost every day until I moved out of my mom's home when I was 21. I didn't have a piano or a keyboard, and would just trip around my apartment singing to myself or along with the radio or a cd player. Three or four years ago, my dad told all of us (my brother & my step-siblings) that we would only be getting one large gift that year, and he wasn't taking suggestions. Both my brother and I were a little leary because my dad's idea of a great gift can sometimes border on odd... he has some funny ideas... Well, Christmas Eve arrived and we were opening gifts at my Dad's (we spent Christmas day with Mom). There were more than just one gift per person - that guilt thing comes for quite a few years, let me tell you... We were all shaking our heads at the amount of stuff that we got. We all thought they had changed their minds and bought little things for all of us...NOPE... My dad hands me two long boxes. I ripped them open and started crying... My dad had gone out and bought me the largest keyboard he could afford and a stand for it to sit on. He also bought me an hydraulic chair so that I could raise myself high enough to play it. I had missed my piano so much, and it was at my mom's in her livingroom where it would stay until just last month after I moved into my own home, hut this was by far the most thoughtful, and wonderful gift that I have ever gotten... To bring my greatest love back into my life (and a way to cut the sound off from others so I could play whenever I wanted with the headphones on) was absolutely spectacular. My dad was so thoughtful that year, not that he isn't every other year, but that year was really special. We've been working on our relationship, and it's getting better as the years progress, but there's still miles to go... |
Ketchuplover | Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 03:27 pm     You're both very fortunate. I don't remember ever getting anything that was more special than any of the other presents I received. My memory isn't what it used to be,so maybe I have received a special gift but I can't remember it lol |
Wargod | Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 04:09 pm     This isn't a Christmas gift...but it was a gift. My hubby has given me great gifts (swords, some jewlry, flowers, etc.) He went on a cruise to Mexico a few months ago with his Mom and sis. He came back he'd bought me a beautiful carved dolphin and a very nice silver and jade bracelet. He also bought me a sweatshirt with a hood....two sizes too big (like I like them!) That has got to be the best gift I've ever gotten....I just love it....it's so warm and soft. Ok, I know its weird, but just goes to show it doesn't have to be expensive or fancy to get my attention, LOL. |
Ellenkats | Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 04:22 pm     My dad told me when I was seventeen I was getting a gift I would absolutely LOVE and that the only hint he would give me was that it had wheels. What seventeen year old can resist wheels???? LOL -- it was a cool gift and I never guessed what it was until I saw it.... a baby grand piano. :-) I am older now and don't play music as often as I used to, but it moves with me wherever I live. Who knew a 1920s Stieff baby grand would end up being a cooler gift than a car? It prolly retains its value better anyhow.;-) |
Abbynormal | Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 04:37 pm     The best Christmas gift I EVER received was my son born Dec. 24, 1991. plus, the diamond and amethyst bracelet for having him wasn't too shabby either!  |
Halfunit | Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 04:48 pm     Wargod, lol... DH asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year and I told him a Twix bar. He said, "OK." |
Webkitty | Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 04:54 pm     Love all your gift stories! My best gift was after I moved to Florida. I hadn't see my son in almost a year It was right before Christmas, and I was feeling sorry for myself, doing dishes and staring out the window. All of the sudden he came walking around the corner and over the lawn! He had spent two days on a bus to get to me. My heart stopped for a minute (but in a good way,lol) and I went flying out to him, screaming all the way. He was grinning from ear to ear and looked so pleased with himself. It was the VERY BEST Christmas present ever. The second best Christmas present I ever received was a kitten when I was 9. He was all black and teeny tiny. I called him Velvet and he slept with me every night until he went to kitty heaven years later. You can't put a price on that  |
Wiseolowl | Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 04:59 pm     Djgirl I've been worrying about you for a long time - trying to figure out what to give you're significant for your anniversary - - but couldn't - God, am really worried about what you're going to do about Christmas - but Happy Christmas in any event - maybe you could introduce him to our board - meeting friendly people over the net might be just what he needs!! |
Djgirl5235 | Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 10:22 am     Wise - thank you for your concern. I made it through our anniversary (DeWalt Orbital Palm Sander - he LOVED it!) and his birthday was yesterday (a new tool box that he wanted - loved it again!). I've really been keeping a close ear to everything that he's mentioned and have given my family members ideas for him and even kept a few for myself - it's turned out to be a little easier than I thought it would be. I just have to save up more money for him next year so I can get him MORE tools - it's the only thing he wants, so why not?! You're such a sweetheart! He doesn't quite "get" my fascination with talking with people I've never met...it took him almost a year to get over the fact that my best friend is someone I have never met face to face! The 'net scares him, but it's my thing and it doesn't bother him. I talk about you guys all the time! Have a wonderful Christmas yourself Wise!!! We'll be up in the Muskoka's for the week between Christmas & New Year's - we're itching to get out on our Cat's... |
Fabnsab | Friday, December 13, 2002 - 02:20 am     My best gift was from my husband last year. My living room is an asian inspired theme and I have been looking for chinese character stencils or stamps for my mantle. He printed off characters with special meanings on thick stock paper and used an exacto knife and cut out every intricate detail so I would have homemade stencils. It took him days to finish. I have to thank him all over again for that one... |
Resortgirl | Friday, December 13, 2002 - 05:12 am     My husbabnd is TERRIBLE about picking out presents, so none that he's bought me stick out in my mind. BUT.... he aways makes sure I have a clean towel when I take a bath, he makes sure my tank is full of gas, he empties the dishwasher every morning while he's making ME coffee, he calls me at least once a day to say he loves me, he takes our son to school every morning even though he has a bazillion things to do at work, so that I have time to to take a long hot bath before I go to work. I could go on, but you get the picture... So he's a little lacking in the gift buying department, he gives me the gift of love and caring every single day!!! |
Sia | Friday, December 13, 2002 - 01:40 pm     Resortgirl, you have a wonderful husband!! I'm printing out your post and putting a copy of it on his pillow tonight for him to find in the morning. I have to admit, my DH has been a little more attentive lately since I've not been feeling myself. He took the kids and me to town last evening so I didn't have to drive and has been waiting in the bathroom while I shower (in case I fall). He's so tired, poor guy; we're letting him catch up on his Zs right now, then he's back out the door for another midnight shift, then Sunday is his first afternoon shift for the next week. My favorite Christmas gift is the dishwasher my hubby bought me last year. I use it every day; I don't know how I found time to hand-wash dishes three times a day before I had it! |
Nanarobin | Monday, December 23, 2002 - 03:23 am     NOT MY FAMILY BUT NOT SURE WHERE TO PUT THIS ROFL STORY ABOUT CHRISTMAS......!!!!!!!!! The Christmas Stocking As a joke, my brother used to hang a pair of panty hose over his fireplace before Christmas. He said all he wanted was for Santa to fill them. What they say about Santa checking the list twice must be true because every Christmas morning, although Jay's kids' stockings were overflowed, his poor panty hose hung sadly empty and grew increasingly threadbare. One year I decided to make his dream come true. I put on sunglasses and a fake beard and went in search of an inflatable love doll. Of course, they don't sell those things at Wal-Mart. I had to go to an adult bookstore downtown. If you've never been in an X-rated store, don't go. You'll only confuse yourself. I was there almost three hours saying things like, "What does this do?", "You're kidding me!", "Who owns that?", "Do you have their phone number?". Finally, I made it to the inflatable doll section. I wanted to buy a standard, uncomplicated doll suitable for a night of romance that could also substitute as a passenger in my truck so I could use the car pool lane during rush hour. I'm not sure what a complicated doll is. Perhaps one that is subject to wild mood shifts and using a French accent for no reason at all. (That also describes a few ex-girlfriends.) Finding what I wanted was difficult. Love dolls come in many different models. The top of the line, according to the side of the box, could do things I'd only seen in a book on animal husbandry. I figured the "Vibro-motion" was a feature Jay could live without, so I settled for Lovable Louise. She was at the bottom of the price scale. To call Louise a "doll" took a huge leap of imagination. On Christmas Eve, with the help of an old bicycle pump, Louise came to life. My sister-in-law was in on the plan and cleverly left the front door key hidden under the mat. In the wee morning hours, long after Santa had come and gone, I snuck into the house and filled the dangling panty hose with Louise's pliant legs and bottom. I also ate some cookies and drank what remained of a glass of milk on a nearby tray. Then I let myself out, went home, and giggled for a couple of hours. The next morning my brother called to say that Santa had been to his house and left a present that had made him VERY happy but had left the dog confused. He would bark, start to walk away, then come back and bark some more. I suggested he purchase an inflatable Lassie to set Rover straight. We also agreed that Louise should remain in her panty hose so the rest of the family could admire her when they came over for the traditional Christmas dinner. It seemed like a great idea, except that we forgot that Grandma and Grandpa would be there. My grandmother noticed Louise the moment she walked in the door. "What the hell is that?" she asked. My brother quickly explained. "It's a doll." "Who would play with something like that?" Granny snapped. I had several candidates in mind, but kept my mouth shut. "Where are her clothes?" Granny continued. I hadn't seen any in the box, but I kept this information to myself. "Boy, that turkey sure smells nice, Gran," Jay said, trying to steer her into the dining room. But Granny was relentless. "Why doesn't she have any teeth?" Again, I could have answered, but why would I? It was Christmas and no one wanted to ride in the back of the ambulance saying, "Hang on Granny, Hang on!" My grandfather, a delightful old man with poor eyesight, sidled up to me and said," Hey, who's the naked gal by the fireplace?" I told him she was Jay's friend. A few minutes later I noticed Grandpa by the mantel, talking to Louise. Not just talking, but actually flirting. It was then that we realized this might be Grandpa's last Christmas at home. The dinner went well. We made the usual small talk about who had died who was dying, and who should be killed, when suddenly Louise made a noise that sounded a lot like my father in the bathroom in the morning. Then she lurched from the panty hose, flew around the room twice, and fell in a heap in front of the sofa. The cat screamed, I passed cranberry sauce through my nose, and Grandpa ran across the room, fell to his knees, and began administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. My brother wet his pants and Granny threw down her napkin, stomped out of the room, and sat in the car. It was indeed a Christmas to treasure and remember. Later, in my brother's garage, we conducted a thorough examination to decide the cause of Louise's collapse. We discovered that Louise had suffered from a hot ember to the back of her right thigh. Fortunately, thanks to a wonder drug called duct tape, we restored her to perfect health. Louise went on to star in several bachelor party movies. I think Grandpa still calls her whenever he can get out of the house. |
Theowl | Monday, December 23, 2002 - 04:55 am     What a way to wake up on a cold Monday morning before a 10 hour trip to colder weather!! Thanks for the great laugh, Nanarobin!!  |
Goddessatlaw | Monday, December 23, 2002 - 05:11 am     That is a laugh riot, Nanarobin. Thanks for the really good hee-haw. |
Squaredsc | Monday, December 23, 2002 - 06:42 am     omg i am roflmao. great story nanarobin. |
Jagger | Monday, December 23, 2002 - 08:41 am     Loved the story Nanarobin, I will have to remember that for my brother next year, he keeps asking for one but has yet to receive one. Hopefully they aren't too expensive. That would be a great gift to have Santa deliver at the family x-mass party in front of about 75 people, although we would probably need to have the kids leave the room after my brother say it because I know he would want to demonstrate to everyone what is was designed for. |
Jagger | Monday, December 23, 2002 - 08:45 am     Sorry I enjoyed the story about the doll so much I forgot to put my gift story in here. My best gift was a gift I gave myself, it was my dog, I got him over 10 years ago and he is part of my family, he gets treated like a kid with rules and punishments or rewards for obeying the rules. |
Wargod | Monday, December 23, 2002 - 10:56 am     OMH, that's great Nanorobin. Thank you so much for the big laugh. |
Nanarobin | Monday, December 23, 2002 - 11:20 am     When I read the story in a newsletter, I laughed until I cried...so had to put it in here to share with you all!!! Glad I could give you a holiday laugh. I bet even Santa giggled at that one!! Nana Robin Happy Holidays to all my TVCH pals!! May you receive everything you wish for this year! |
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