Tags
Have you ever noticed that some people have the gift of giving well? I’m thinking of those people who always come up with the most perfect gift in the world and yet it’s a gift which the recipient would never have thought of. Me, I spend a full year pondering what gifts to give and still come up with lame-assed things that probably end up in the bottom of a drawer or in the new-to-you bag.
I received an outrageously wonderful gift from a friend who is always a good gift giver. However, this year she outdid herself.
I have decided to call this guy Beowulf. I learned that by tracing the name Beowulf back to its Old English roots, it may have come from the term “bee-wolf” otherwise known as “bear.”
Now Mr. Beowulf, here, is a pretty fine gift. He’s a heavy, brass, well-formed fellow with a quizzical expression, and you’ve gotta love those scholarly glasses. But along with Beowulf came the following poem:
For Linda Christmas and Birthday 2012 When you open this gift, you will wonder why? I have many reasons but offer three. Remember the print of the bear paw—early morning on fresh snow? You carefully snapped a photograph, and continue your hike, alone, down the trail. Most would have run the other way. courageous you! A domestic scene. You sit at the kitchen table with book and computer and—is that pencil and paper, also? You peer at me over your reading glasses perched an inch down your nose—that noble, prodigious nose. Adorable you! Then, there is the seduction we share. Millions of books lure us with promises of insight or laughter or knowledge or escape. We share this love or is it lust? Profound and provocative you! Reasons three, I promised. Another—the greatest of all—clamors to be heard. You chose to be my friend when no one else did. I was a stranger in a strange land and you took me into your life and heart. Gracious and giving and loving you! So many reasons. . . .Of course, I received many wonderful gifts from friends and family, as I always do. And choosing one gift over another is a bit like choosing one child over another. You love all your children but you love them in the different and unique ways. How about you? Have you received a gift recently that particularly seized your heart?
Lenore Diane said:
Gah. This brought tears to my eyes, Linda. What a wonderfully heartfelt gift. The picture of the bear sold me instantly, but the sentiment took me over the edge. You and so many others like you make me wish I read more. I suppose, if I have a resolution for this year (which I don’t harp on), it would be to read more. I just need to step away from the computer… Unfortunately, that’s like saying no to ice cream. *sigh*
Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. And of course, happy birthday.
LikeLike
rangewriter said:
Thanks, Lenore. Actually, I don’t read nearly as much as my dear friend thinks I do. She thinks a lot of good stuff about me which isn’t true, but that’s okay, I’ll let her go on thinking that way!
LikeLike
dirtysocksandfaxmachines said:
Yes! I so wish I was one of those people that had a knack for gift giving. But, I’m one of those people who is lucky to even get a card in the mail every once in a while…usually late. It’s so nice to have good friends, isn’t it?
LikeLike
rangewriter said:
Yes it is, dirtysocks. And, I knew what you meant. 😉
LikeLike
dirtysocksandfaxmachines said:
I meant I am lucky if I can get a card to OTHERS in the mail. I re-read that and it sounded like no one gets me anything. HA!
LikeLike
dinkerson said:
That gift does seem to make good sense for you. 🙂
Sounds like you are a good friend, and of that, I’m not surprised.
LikeLike
rangewriter said:
I’m lucky to have a good friend (s). 🙂
LikeLike
Sandra Parsons said:
So beautiful, both gifts! And I agree, great gift-givers are a rare and precious occurrence. You are lucky to have such a wonderful friend.
LikeLike
rangewriter said:
Yes, I am. I wish I were one, as well.
LikeLike
bronxboy55 said:
This post was a wonderful gift for everyone who reads it.
Happy New Year, Linda.
LikeLike
rangewriter said:
Thanks, Charles! May it be a great year for you and your family. Looking forward to more entertainment from Mostly Bright Ideas.
LikeLike
sybil said:
One question.
Did she mail that to you ??? Can’t imagine the postage cost !
What a wonderful friend you must be to receive such a thoughtful gift.
LikeLike
rangewriter said:
Oh my goodness, no! Her birthday is in November so we usually share a mutual birthday celebration with a night out together. Her gift bag nearly broke, though. And yes, she’s a keeper.
LikeLike
Weathered Priya said:
I read this post a few days back, and have been thinking of it off and on since. How blessed you are, Linda.
And how blessed they, for they have a friend who knows just what to appreciate. Thank you for this memorable post!
My parents are and have been people who know just the right gifts to give. I am grateful for them.
LikeLike
rangewriter said:
Thank you Priya. I am moved that you actually thought about my post for a couple of days and then remembered to come back for a comment. Another gift from the heart. 😉
LikeLike
girl in the hat said:
A gift like this tells you someone cares enough to notice. Well, more than notice– it requires that they see the whole picture, that they’ve studied it. What a lovely gift. What a good friend!
LikeLike
rangewriter said:
So true, Anna. I am very lucky.
LikeLike
A.K.Andrew @artyyah said:
A really beautiful gift I have to say. And I agree some people do have a real knack for giving gifts, though it often comes , I think, with a generosity of spirit as well as being someone who notices other people, and listens to what they want. I’m very jealous of Mr. Beowulf. What a great figure on one’s shelf:-)
LikeLike
rangewriter said:
I smile every time I walk past Beowulf, sitting there so absorbed in his studies. Thanks for dropping by A.K.
LikeLike
souldipper said:
Oh, Linda, my friends would fall over in fright if I became enthusiastic about gifts. I dislike shopping – mainly because I have no idea where to find good gifts in city shops I don’t explore.
I can think of things I’d love to make, but my skills prevent me from production. I’ve seen ideas done with photography that makes me drool, but my fingers are not crafty.
Now words…there’s the coup. You friend did such a poignant and intimate job putting words with an inanimate object that otherwise might have no meaning. What an inspiration.
LikeLike
rangewriter said:
I am with you all the way. Hate to shop, lack craftsy skills. But boy can I appreciate an on-target gift. Just wish I were capable of reciprocating.
LikeLike
Nel said:
Beowulf seems like a fine fellow. 🙂
I, too, am lucky enough to have people in my life who intuitively know what to get for me. Conversely, as a gift-giver, I’m pretty meticulous but never steer to far from what I think that person needs. One could say I prefer to give functional gifts. Must be that engineering training.
LikeLike
Nel said:
Darn it. That should be “too far”. Sorry.
LikeLike
rangewriter said:
Beowulf brings me a smile every time I walk past him. I tend to look for consumable gifts, which is sort of a riff on your functional gifts routine. But I never feel like I come up with that most perfect gift, like some people do. I enjoy getting them, though!
LikeLike