The Best Gift
Nope. It wasn't that.
Yesterday morning, before Bob woke up, I did my annual ritual of sending out Christmas greetings to friends I haven't talked to much in past year. It's my way to let them know they're still on my mind. They're still important. I still wish them the best. Almost all of them respond which leads to a short back-and-forth, catching up since the last we talked.
But one message came out of the blue, from Marie, who used to own a shop a few doors down from our kilt shop. There is a merry little band of us who have stayed in touch over the years.
Her text to me:
Merry Christmas Nick!
Sending love to you and Bob! Hope that wherever in the world you are today, it’s filled with love and happiness!
Grateful for your loving and vulnerable heart and quick wit. Many a time I’ve seen you go out of your way to help others without making a fuss. Your arms are always open to those who need without judgement.
You always deliver the perfectly placed text or comment that leads snorting laughter and lifts the mood.
I remember you opening your heart to us about some struggles you were having with depression and what you were doing to care for yourself.
Your heart and the way you show up in the world is a gift and inspiration.
Love you, merry Christmas!
My response back:
Well, this wasn’t gift wrapped, nor under my tree, or stuffed in a stocking, but this might be the best gift that I receive this season. Thank you, Marie. Thank you for letting me know how you see me — that is a gift I’m going to treasure for a long, long, time!
I hope you are thriving and laughing. I hope there is lasagna in your future, and that your joints don’t ache, and that no one is breaking your heart. I hope that people you love reach out to you today, and that when you put dinner on the table today, you are flooded with memories of all of the people who got you to this point.
May your 2026 bring opportunities, challenges that you can overcome, and surprises befitting of someone whose heart is as kind as yours.
Love you, and Merry Christmas!
The lesson, I guess, is this. Reach out. Send the text. Write the note. Say the thing you’ve been meaning to say. You never really know what someone else is carrying, or how much it might mean to be remembered. Sometimes the smallest gesture ends up being the one that stays with them the longest.