Special Gifts By Angela Rieck

‘Tis the season for giving. Some of us prefer to provide suggestions for gifts. But my favorite gifts are the ones that someone chooses for me. Gifts that show that the donor has thought about me and chosen something unexpected.

My daughter has a knack for giving special gifts. She thinks carefully about something that I might enjoy. I have a pair of slippers that she bought for me that are now threadbare.

Then there is my engagement ring. While my late husband and I knew that we would spend our lives together, we hadn’t really discussed marriage. He surprised me with a stunning engagement ring; I never would have let him pick out something so extravagant. It was what he wanted to give. I still wear it every day.

Over the years, I have been blessed with many gifts, large and small

When my husband died, I was lost in grief. Grief from knowing that I would never see him again, missing every moment of our time together. And one of the things that I missed was the gifts. My husband would surprise me frequently with a gift, “just because.” After he died, I knew that my birthday, our anniversary, Mother’s day, and Valentine’s day would never be the same. There was a void knowing that these days, which were full of joy and surprise, would slip away unnoticed, uncelebrated, and the loneliness and feelings of no longer being loved in that capacity would creep in. To my surprise, the first Valentine’s day that he was gone, my sister bought me some chocolates. A small gift, but it was deeply appreciated. I would not be given a Valentine’s gift again, but this one came at my lowest point and let me know that there were people who really loved me.

Then there are the handmade gifts. A close friend knitted me a sweater. Funny thing was, I never wore it (it was too big), but it was hanging up in my closet and every day it would make me smile.

Last year I got a surprise gift. My sister and I both commented on the exquisiteness of a Christmas decoration at a friend’s house. We both liked it, but that was it. Later I bought one for myself, and I decided to get her one even though we don’t normally exchange gifts. She did the same thing unbeknownst to me and both decorations showed up at my door step a week later. Now both of us enjoy two decorations. Almost like the gift of the Magi.

My wish for my readers (and everyone really) that you get at least one special gift this year and may your holidays be full of blessings.

Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.