Aselin

A few birthdays ago I received an odd gift from a friend I don’t see too often. When my friend realized she had missed my birthday she rummaged around her house and then presented this little peach colored book. She explained that she had recently received it from one of her friends, that she hadn’t read it, and didn’t know what it was about but wanted to give it to me for my birthday. Right in front of me she opened the cover, crossed out the sentiments from the original giver and re-dedicated it to me.

Needless to say, I was unimpressed with the “gift”.

When I brought it home, I tossed it aside completely unmotivated to peruse its pages. My husband picked it up because it looked like a quick read. I distinctly remember rolling over late one night, well morning actually, to see him still reading the little book. My husband doesn’t give up his sleep easily and as he closed the pages of the re-gift book he proclaimed it one of the best books he has ever read.

I perked up a little about the gift. Even though it was not originally intended for me, I certainly love a good book. I immediately delved in to its pages. The opening lines revealed the main character, a man who was in an unhappy marriage. Wait a second! Best book he’s ever read? What’s my husband trying to tell me??? I exude bliss so how could he possibly relate to this miserable man?

Continuing with the book I too related with the man. Not because of the bad marriage, but because of the humanity captured in the book. Sometimes talented people portray the human experience with such insight and inspiration it speaks to our souls. This little book certainly spoke to mine, and it’s not too much to say it changed my life. I reread it a couple of times each year.

There is a host of things I have learned from this seemingly insignificant interchange. One of the most influential is the realization that the “gift” was not found in the giving - but in the receiving. After this experience, I have tried to be a better receiver. It has made all the difference.