An Empty Gift

We often learn the most from our children. Some time ago a friend of mine punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box for one apparent reason. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, ‘’ this is for you daddy.” He was embarrassed by his earlier over reaction but his anger flared again when he found the box empty. He yelled at her, “don’t you know that when you give someone a present, there’s supposed to be something thing inside.” The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said,” Oh daddy, it’s not empty. I blew kisses into the e box for you, Daddy”.

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for forgiveness. My friend told me that he kept that gold box by his bed for years. Whenever he was discouraged, he would take out the imaginary kiss and remember his child who had put it there. In a very real sense, each of us as parents have been given a fold container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children. There is more precious possession anyone could hold.