The Gift My Brother Couldnt Give

From the book A Heartland Christmas Collection

In the first years after my brothers, sister, and I left home, there were several Christmases in which our ability to give fell far short of our desire. In fact, we often found ourselves getting very creative if we were going to give any Christmas presents at all. But those early Christmases also contained some of the finest gifts I've ever received, and one of those was the gift my brother Jim thought he couldn't give.

Jim had chosen a difficult road, working for himself instead of collecting a weekly paycheck like the one I got from the department store where I worked, and his funds were always limited.

As Christmas approached, we all searched for the perfect gift for each family member. Since I knew Jim harbored a secret desire to write, I bought him two beautifully hardbound books consisting of nothing but empty pages, so he could fill them with his own words. They weren't expensive, but I knew he'd love them.

As we gathered around our parents' tree on Christmas morning, Jim's smile shown brightly as he watched his loved ones begin to unwrap the strangest assortment of gifts I'd ever seen. One by one, family members exchanged mystified looks as they opened one totally unexplainable gift after another. My sister received a well-used meditation candle. My youngest brother opened a half-empty box of incense. But Jim just sat cross-legged on the floor, unfazed by the puzzled looks and embarrassed thank you's.

Just when I'd decided my brother had lost his mind, Dad opened his gift. It was a tattered paperback copy of Lord of the Rings, which I instantly recognized as one of Jim's most prized possessions. Then I knew what he'd been doing. That Christmas, Jim had chosen to make gifts of most precious things he possessed, the things dearest to his heart. In sharing his most beloved treasures, he also hoped to share the joy they'd given him with those he loved most.

It didn't matter that Dad mostly likely would have had more interest in wading through "Volume 7" of an encyclopedia printed in Swahili than the psychedelic world of Tolkein. He understood the profound meaning of his son's gift. Fighting back tears, Dad held the treasured volume in his hands and said, "I promise to give it back, son, as soon as I've read it."

Smiling broadly, Jim turned his attention to my gift to him. Although he was clearly moved by the books, a strange awkwardness washed over the room as I realized he had no gift for me. After a long moment, he said softly, "I looked through everything I owned, and I couldn't find anything I thought you might want."

Now it was my turn to fight back the tears. Apparently, my brother had no idea of the incredible gift he'd just given me in that simple statement. After all, what could be a greater gift than to know someone thinks highly enough of you to want to give the very best he has-and comes up short?

I smiled and said, "The look on your face is gift enough for me, brother," and I meant every word.

I got many other gifts that year, but I don't remember any of them. And I've been given hundreds of presents since that Christmas long ago, but I can recall only a few of those. But my brother's gift-the one he thought he couldn't give-will always be one of the most precious gifts I've ever received.

© 2004. Gary E. Anderson. All rights reserved.

About The Author

Gary Anderson is a freelance writer, editor, ghostwriter, and manuscript analyst, living on a small Iowa farm. He's published more than 500 articles and four books. He's also ghosted a dozen books, edited more than 30 full-length manuscripts, produced seven newsletters, and has done more than 800 manuscript reviews for various publishers around the nation. If you need writing or editing help, visit Gary's website at www.abciowa.com.

abciowa@alpinecom.net

---

New Ways to Use Old Christmas Cards

Forty years ago when I was growing up on our... Read More

A Medieval Story for Valentines Day, Bonne & Charles

The general word on the Internet is the first Valentine... Read More

Thanksgiving

I was not planning to write this article. Instead, I... Read More

Online Shopping: Tips For Holidays Gift Shopping

It is holidays time, and you've the money and you... Read More

Virtual Assistants... Even Santa Needs One!

Trying to fit all the planning and preparing and celebrating... Read More

Corporate Holiday Gift Ideas Start With a Possibilities List

Plan ahead this year for your corporate clients and associates... Read More

Cheap Christmas Gift Ideas

Now that the biggest shopping season of the year is... Read More

No Paws from Santa Claus

The Holidays are coming and children have thought long and... Read More

St. Patricks Day Quotations

"It's not that the Irish are cynical. It's rather that... Read More

Easy Gift Ideas For Dad On Fathers Day

Father's Day is just around the corner. If you're looking... Read More

Magical Holiday Emergency Kit

With all the travel, gift buying, last minute cramming at... Read More

The Evolution of Christmas Ornaments

Things have come a long way since a Christmas ornament... Read More

Fathers Day Origins and Inspiration

While mothers have had their special day since 1914, fathers... Read More

Glorious Holiday Decorating (Without Breaking the Bank or Losing Your Sanity)

Decorating for the holidays can be both expensive and emotionally... Read More

2 Quick and Easy Halloween Crafts

Making Halloween crafts can really get you into a festive... Read More

Single During the Holidays

Mistletoe. Holiday parties. New Years kiss at midnight. This time... Read More

Home Made Gifts, The Best Way To Teach Your Kids The Value Of The Holiday

To a large extent the holidays have come to be... Read More

How to Create an Irresistible Valentine?s Day Centerpiece

Valentine's Day is just around the corner which of course... Read More

Mothers Day Flowers & Gifts!

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 8th! Whether she lives next... Read More

10 Tips to a Stress Free Holiday

"The stress-free way to enjoy the holidays is to plan,... Read More

Valentines Day - A Guide for Men

Did you know that after Christmas, Valentine's Day is the... Read More

Mothers Day, Do You Know What Youre Giving The Woman Who Gave You Life?

Mother's Day, Do you know what you're giving the woman... Read More

Fathers Day Gift Guide

Fathers Day is the one day of the year when... Read More

Beyond All Tied Up With A Bow - Great Tips for Creating Beautifully Wrapped Holiday Gifts

No matter what the season, packages make a statement even... Read More

Making the Holidays More Meaningful

Have the holidays become too commercial for you? Are you... Read More

Country Christmas Idea: Milkweek Pod Poinsettia Ornaments

Country Christmas Idea: Milkweed Pod Poinsettia OrnamentsAt first glance, milkweed... Read More

Christmas Decorating Ideas - Edible Ornaments

Although it is now more decades away than I care... Read More

5 Things Your Christmas Table Should Not Be Without

Christmas dinner probably the most elaborate and complex dinners you... Read More

Top Ten Things To Do The Day After Valentines Day

Why should February 14th get all of the attention?1. Water... Read More

Wake Up ? Its Almost Fathers Day

Father's Day is approaching fast. In the USA it falls... Read More

Ten Tips for a Real Holiday Season

Holidays and the start of a new year inevitably make... Read More

Memorial Day a way to Celebrate

Memorial Day is May 30th this year, are you ready?... Read More

Spooky Halloween Party Ideas

Are you looking for special Halloween party ideas that will... Read More