Gifts

We all do it, look everywhere for the perfect gift for the person we love the most in the world.  Have you ever thought about what you would give up in order to buy that person the perfect gift?  In The Gift of the Magi, O. Henry writes about the sacrifice made all in the name of love.

Christmas is tomorrow and Della wants to buy her husband, Jim, a wonderful present- the only problem is she only has $1.87. Della and her husband do not have much, a live only on $20 a week.  Their prized possessions are Della's long, beautiful hair and Jim's gold pocket watch.  Della knew she wanted to buy Jim a new chain for his watch and also knew the sacrifice she would have to make- selling her hair.

Della worried all evening about what Jim would think about her new look.  When he finally arrived home, "It was not anger, nor surprise, nor disapproval, nor horror," that he looked upon her with.  He simply looked.  Then when he handed Della her present to open, she saw it was hair combs, beautiful and expensive.  Della then handed her gift to Jim to open.  When he saw that it was the gold chain he said to his wife, "Let's put our Christmas presents away and keep 'em a while.  They're too nice to use just at present.  I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs..."

You see, both Jim and Della gave up their most prized possessions for one another. "But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest.  Of all who give and receive fits, such as are the wisest."

This Christmas season, do not forget the gifts of the Magi and the meaning of each gift that you give.

Have you ever given up your most prized possession for the one you love most?

Happy Reading!
Laura