An Unexpected Gift

The receiving of gifts, especially in childhood, ranks as one of the high points of life.  The anticipation of receiving a gift on one’s birthday and at Christmas generates some of the highest emotional peaks in the short years of childhood.  As a general rule, we expect those gifts.  We know they are coming and often know what the gift will be because we put in a request or gave “Santa” a list of our wants and wishes.

As we grow older, the excitement of receiving gifts loses some of the emotional power, but it still pleases us to be the recipient of a gift.  As adults, we begin to think more about the giver of a gift and their motivation for giving it.  Sometimes we wonder if there is a hidden message attached to the gift.  We begin to ponder our options related to the gift.  If I don’t need or like it, can I exchange it without hurting the giver's feelings?  Gift giving becomes more complicated as we grow older.

But what about gifts we receive that are unexpected?  Those gifts that come to us with no strings attached, no special occasion, they simply appear out of the blue.  I’ll have to admit that I’ve received very few gifts like this, but when I have, they spiked my emotions and caused me to think about all the possible ramifications associated with the gift and the giver.

A few years ago, my great aunt Francis died.  Her husband, Uncle Ed, was my grandmother’s brother.  Uncle Ed died some years before his wife, thus his estate was left to Aunt Francis.  It was not until her death, many years after his, that some of his possessions and assets were distributed. 

Aunt Earle, my mother’s sister, was the executor of their estate and after settling all the details she delivered two items that uncle Ed had designated that I receive.  She handed me a small box and said, “Uncle Ed wanted you to have these.”  Inside the cotton lined box I found an Elgin pocket watch, given to him by his mother upon his high school graduation and his college ring from the University of Tennessee Pharmacy School.  Accompanying the objects was a small hand written note that simply said, "Give these to Phillip."  Two very personal items left to a great nephew that last saw him over 30 years before his death.  The small box with its contents had been sitting in a bank safety deposit box all these years just waiting to be given as “an unexpected gift”.

I had lots of questions about these unexpected gifts.  What was the motivation of the giver?  Why was it given to me and not someone else?  Had uncle Ed meant for me to receive it sooner, hoping it might be a motivational symbol for a younger man? The mystery and unexpectedness of the watch and the ring prompted my thinking for some time.

From personal experience I know that giving to others brings me pleasure.  So, I have to assume that uncle Ed enjoyed leaving the watch and ring to me.  As my aunt gave me the items, uncle Ed’s spirit probably smiled as he saw the surprised, but puzzled look on my face.

The Elgin pocket watch was rather ordinary, but as a high school graduation gift in 1927 it was probably a significant gift.  So, what meaning does a pocket watch have for me today? 

Watches symbolize time as well as keep time for us.  Did uncle Ed mean for me to be aware that relationships are timeless, that past times are linked to the present and future.  Did he simply mean for me to have an object that was given to him by his mother, my great grandmother?  Did he know that I didn’t have many tangible links with my family’s past and left these personal items hoping they would be a meaningful family link for me?

Uncle Ed's UT Pharmacy class ring was worn smooth from many years of daily use.  I could barely make out the "University of Tennessee" inscription on the crown of the ring.  I know it must have been very special to uncle Ed, but what does the ring mean to me? 

Rings have a powerful symbolism of linkage.  They can be links to institutions, links to marriage partners, links of friendship, and they provide a circular imagery of things that never end; like love, friendship and family. 

Although time, distance and even death separates us from others;  our family, love for others and friendships continue on like an unbroken circle.  They linger in hearts and minds and yes, even in objects like a gold class ring and a graduation pocket watch.

My gifts of a watch and a ring did not arrive at Christmas, but they prompted me to think of another gift this world received 2,000 years ago.  That gift was expected by some people and a total surprise to others.  It is strange that many of those who were expecting the gift didn’t recognize it when it arrived.  It didn’t look like the gift they wanted.  It wasn’t the gift they’d put on their list.  Others found that it was a free gift with no strings attached.  Man could accept the gift or reject it.  The gift was perfect, it was complete and yes; it was on time.

Many have rejected the gift.  They want to draw a circle that shuts God out; but God draws a circle that takes us in.  Those who have received the gift have been taken into the circle of God’s love.  God’s love is timeless.  It stretches from before creation, throughout the history of the world, into the present and streaks faster than a lighting bolt toward eternity.

A gold ring and a pocket watch, unexpected gifts that held a special meaning for me and perhaps now, for you.

 

 

Two Unexpected Gifts