This has been a rough month. We've had a lot going on. Surgery, Special Education meetings for Andrew, urinary tract infections, me sequestered to my bed for more days than I'd like. It's not usually how we celebrate the holidays. Lots of things dropped from our to-do's lists as we stumbled through the past several weeks.
On Christmas Eve Dave went into the city to try to put a few hours of work in to make up for the many days he's missed. And he wanted to do some last minute shopping.
Last night as we were preparing the gifts for our boys (and yes, Andrew joyously received a marble track which he and Dave have built and rebuilt 3 or 4 times already today), I looked under the tree and saw one gift for me. One. Despite my best efforts, that awful Christmas feeling began to creep over me. Disappointment. One gift? Just one?
I had gone a practical route this year and asked for replacements of kitchen gadgets and gizmos that were wearing out or broken. By the look of the box, I was in for either a new loaf pan, or a coffee percolator.
Better, more noble emotions tried to fight off the disappointment. "he's been so busy!" "He's been working his keister off for you." "What did you expect?" And the disappointment nodded it's ugly head and said, "yes. I know. But one gift?"
We decided to open our gifts to each other that night. Leave Christmas morning for the boys. He handed me my box and I nervously opened it. Wanting that disappointment to just leave me alone, already. Which was it, the loaf pan or the percolator?
When I saw what it was I couldn't believe it. My eyes welled. "I know you asked for household stuff", Dave said, "but I wanted to get you a gift....anyway, you can get your percolators and dust pans in January when my bonus comes in."
It was a lens. A huge lens with a killer zoom. I am now a photographer with two lenses for her camera. One lens for getting up close to sharply focus on the sprinkles decorating my cookies. One lens for catching Andrew and Isaac as they race around the playground, refusing to stop and pose.
Thanks, Dave. You're pretty incredible.
Merry Christmas.
16 comments:
He loves you, it's as simple as that. buying one lens because that is what you want even though you didn't really know it says he loves you so loud I can hear it clear across the ocean. Men like that are hard to find, I am so glad you have one too
What an awesome gift! Congratulations!
That is a sweet, sweet story. While the story demonstrates Dave's love for you, I think it also says a lot about you and how simple your requests were. He's just as lucky.
He sounds like your perfect ONE ;)
Merry Christmas!
Something awesome that you didn't expect at all - the best kinds of gifts. Go Dave. Can't wait to see the pictures to come, you fancy photographer girl. Merry Christmas Rice Family - love you!
P.S. Love the nutcracker shot.
Awww...so sweet! And awesome!
I love how much you love getting and giving gifts.
What a sweet story! Merry Christmas!
I love your honesty! Thanks for the great post!
Score!
Merry Christmas, Familia Arroz!
DAVE RULES. And 'that'll teach ya!' ;) Merry Christmas, Robs- my love to the family!!!
What a lovely husband :)
I love your honesty in your posting, and I love even more the fact that Dave totally ignored your 'I want practical gifts' comments and went out and spent money on a gift that you would never have gone out and just bought yourself. What a guy!
I hope that 2010 begins in a much easier way that 2009 ended. You've certainly gone through the mill in the last few months. Take good care of yourself.
I've been telling this story to everyone the last couple days and I tear up every time.
Wow, Susan!!! Really?!?!
Really. I know gifts are so your thing and I can't even imagine how many pep talks you were giving yourself all day to get excited about a loaf pan out of love for your husband. And then he totally exceeded all your expectations. Love it. Everyone in my family thinks you have the best husband ever.
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