My daughter Cynthia (Cindy) and her boyfriend, Alex, joined my wife, Linda, and me for Christmas Day. Unfortunately, my son, DJ, and his wife, Monica, could not come in from California this year, so it was just the four of us. This was the first year Alex was to experience Christmas with our family, and I had heard he was worried about finding the right gifts for Cindy’s parents.
Of course, we relayed through Cindy that he needn’t bother with gifts for us. We are very relaxed and informal at our house; with us, it’s not what’s under the tree but who’s gathered around it that matters. Nevertheless, Alex showed up with two presents, one for Linda and one for me.
When the moment came to open my present from Alex, I said it felt like a book before tearing into the wrapper. Upon revealing the gift, I found a richly appointed, leather-bound book—more than I expected. But I didn’t recognize the cover. Upon looking at the spine, tastefully appointed with raised bands, I discovered, much to my surprise, the title of my first novel, May There Always Be Enough, A Saint Nicholas Story, embossed in gold leaf. Alex had given me a hard-bound edition of my first novel.
Now, you may wonder why Alex gave me a copy of my own book. I would have asked the same question, except May There Always Be Enough is not available in hardback. The only way to purchase it is as a paperback or eBook. So, where did this handsomely bound edition come from?
I asked Alex, “Did you find a company that professionally binds paperback books?”
His answer? “No, I did it myself.”
After I picked my jaw up off the floor, I asked, “Do you do this as a hobby? Have you been bookbinding long? It looks like a professional bound this book.”
His answer? “No. I’ve never bound a book before. I just wanted to do this for you. So, I looked up how to do it, studied videos, and ordered the materials online.”
This is the point where the thoughtfulness of this gift rendered me speechless.
I hope you can see why I had to share this with you. A belated Merry Christmas to you all, and may each of you receive a gift as thoughtful as this at least once in your life.
I love more than anything speaking to the heart and having someone speak to my heart. To me, this is a magnificent example of that and I am personally grateful you shared this. 🌟🌟🎆🎆💝💝
Thank you so much, Carol, for your kind words and for leaving a comment.
I think if you’re going to give a gift it should be thoughtful and meaningful, and this is both. What a remarkable person to put so much into the perfect gift.
I agree, Dianna. So true.