The Perfect Gift for a Merry Christmas! Two students Andrew and Robert were roommates in college in downtown Boston.
When they returned from their winter break, Andrew began to tell Rob about the new clothes, new cell phone, etc. that he received for Christmas, Rob seemed somewhat impressed.
“So, what did you get for Christmas?” Andrew asked Rob. Expecting to hear his wonderful list of presents, Rob instead replied silently, holding one small item, an alarm clock that probably cost less than $5 at the thrift shop.
“That’s nice,” Andrew answered, thinking that he was sure glad he hadn’t received such a present, seemingly so small and insignificant.
As time passed…
Later, Andrew would tease his Rob by pretending to throw that clock into the air and then catch it right before it hit the ground, feigning an attempt to damage his precious clock. Rob never thought this was funny. Andrew could ever understand how precious the gift was to him.
As the four years passed and they both graduated from college. Andrew noticed Rob had that same inexpensive alarm clock as he packed to move into his new Beacon Hill apartment.
You see, Rob/s family lived in West Virginia far from the wealthy, the only present his parents could afford to give him for Christmas was that simple, unimpressive clock. What seemed like cheap sale material for some was a family treasure for Rob.
You know what? 10 years later, Andrew and Rob meant up at the Sevens Pub in Beacon Hill, to catch up and talk about old times.
Here’s the funny thing. Andrew cannot remember a single present – the clothes, the cell phone etc. – he received for Christmas that year. You know what else? Andrew did remember Rob’s one gift. He may have gotten his many presents, but his friend got only one single present from his parents – that which was definitely more precious.
The clock represented the love of his parents for him.
