Mines a long one, and one that might be uncomfortable to some, but it is the best gift I ever could have asked for.
My 10 year old son was stricken with cancer back in '95, and after 2 surgeries and months of chemo, we were told he had 6 months to a year left. We did all the things that parents in that situation do - Disney World through Make-A-Wish, as much time with hiim as we could find (I took almost 2 months off from work with pay thanks to a great employer), and just soaking up his presence. We were up front with him, and told him everything the Dr's told us, including the prognosis. He was amazingly upbeat every step of the way, and even planned out what his final clothing would be. He was so worried about making sure everyone else wasn't hurting over his illness, that it never appeared that he himself was even close to being afraid - but in the last few weeks I began to think about the possibility of his bearing fear all alone in order to ensure everyone else was OK. I went to him one day and told him it was OK to be afraid, and asked if he wanted to talk with me about it. He was quiet for a minute, then smiled and said "Dad, do you remember going to Disney World?" When I answered yes, he said "We took a plane to get there...this is my plane ticket to God, why would I be afraid?"
That gift was something nothing else could give me - the peace of mind that he was OK, and that, though we would miss him, he knew where he was going, and was happy to go there. How could I be afraid for him when he was looking forward to the journey? Anyway, that one conversation is something I have kept close to my heart every day since, and there is nothing I could be given on this earth that will ever top that...
I know this is a fun thread, and this is not meant to be a downer...simply a retelling of an amazing gift, and one that still puts a smile on my face with each rememberance.
(Sorry, I see this is over, but it's still my "gift")
Mines a long one, and one that might be uncomfortable to some, but it is the best gift I ever could have asked for.
My 10 year old son was stricken with cancer back in '95, and after 2 surgeries and months of chemo, we were told he had 6 months to a year left. We did all the things that parents in that situation do - Disney World through Make-A-Wish, as much time with hiim as we could find (I took almost 2 months off from work with pay thanks to a great employer), and just soaking up his presence. We were up front with him, and told him everything the Dr's told us, including the prognosis. He was amazingly upbeat every step of the way, and even planned out what his final clothing would be. He was so worried about making sure everyone else wasn't hurting over his illness, that it never appeared that he himself was even close to being afraid - but in the last few weeks I began to think about the possibility of his bearing fear all alone in order to ensure everyone else was OK. I went to him one day and told him it was OK to be afraid, and asked if he wanted to talk with me about it. He was quiet for a minute, then smiled and said "Dad, do you remember going to Disney World?" When I answered yes, he said "We took a plane to get there...this is my plane ticket to God, why would I be afraid?"
That gift was something nothing else could give me - the peace of mind that he was OK, and that, though we would miss him, he knew where he was going, and was happy to go there. How could I be afraid for him when he was looking forward to the journey? Anyway, that one conversation is something I have kept close to my heart every day since, and there is nothing I could be given on this earth that will ever top that...
I know this is a fun thread, and this is not meant to be a downer...simply a retelling of an amazing gift, and one that still puts a smile on my face with each rememberance.
(Sorry, I see this is over, but it's still my "gift")
You have brought a tear to my eye, and I must express my deepest sympathy. As a father of two, I can imagine no greater pain.
Contest is over, but my favorite gifting experience involves an internet forum like this one. It's a guitar forum, and a fairly close-knit group, including a wonderful fellow who lives in Bosnia. Elvir (user name "Littlefloor" if you care to peruse the thread) is a school teacher and the somewhat corrupt government doesn't always pay him. He had to sell his beloved stratocaster to feed his family. One of the members PM'ed me suggesting that they all contribute parts to me and that I build him a replica, and that's what we did. I started a thread, and not knowing the guitar was for him, he unwittingly provided me with all the specifications I needed to provide him with his own completely customized guitar. If you read the thread, bear in mind that everyone was in on it except Littlefloor.
http://www.fendertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?16727-Here-We-Go-Again-Oly-White-Strat!
Hrm... seems like quite a few from Virginia. I am in West Virginia. Eastern panhandle
ah. so near Kearneysville then? my dad lives there