I looked under the Christmas tree and found my presents. Three boxes. Oh, goody!
I opened the largest box first because, after all, bigger is better. Right? I rummaged through the tissue paper and held up a little pair of yellow polyester running shorts. "Oh, thank you!" I squealed. "They're just what I wanted . . . and I gave Truett a kiss on the lips.
Then came the medium-sized box. My heart did a little flip as I wondered what it could be. I rummaged once again through the tissue paper and held up a turquoise pair of polyester running shorts. "Oh, thank you, Truett. I did need more than one pair." And I smiled.
Than came the smallest box. "Oh, what could it be? Oh, what could it be?" I wondered. Once again, I rummaged through the tissue paper and lifted out a pair of navy polyester running shorts. "Thanks! Thank you so much!" I blurted and hugged Truett around the neck.
Then the children opened their presents and Truett opened his. Scanning the floor of bows and wrapping paper, I asked Truett, "Are there more presents?"
"No. That's it," he answered.
"Well, what about the tops?" I asked.
"What tops?"
"The ones that match my running shorts."
He looked at me equizzically and said, "You didn't say you wanted tops." I about fell out on the floor and thought, "What is WRONG with this man's brain?"
The next Christmas Truett asked me what I wanted for Christmas. "Pearl earrings," I told him.
So Christmas rolled around and I saw my three presents under the tree. I opened the largest box, tossing tissue paper to the floor. "Oh, Truett! They're beautiful! And I showed my children the prettiest pearl earrings I had ever seen. Then I gave Truett a sweet kiss on the lips.
On to the medium-sized box. "Oh, goody! Oh, goody!" I tossed the tissue paper onto the floor heeding Truett's warning to be very careful. Well, lo and behold! I held up a second pair of pearl earrings, slightly larger than the first pair. And I smiled and whispered, "Thank you, honey. They're beautiful."
On to box number three. I scrounged through the tissue paper and pulled out a larger pair of pearl earrings; but somehow polyester running shorts flitted through my mind. Is he for real? Has he NO imagination? "I love them all, Truett. Thank you. It's been the best Christmas ever!"
Then the next Christmas was drawing close. "What do you want for Christmas?" Truett asked. "Well, I really need a watch," I answered. "A watch. Not three, okay?" And Truett nodded his head as if he understood.
So Christmas morning rolled around and the family gathered around the Christmas tree with the sound of "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" playing in the background.
"You guys go first," I told my family; and they did. Then it was my turn to open my gifts. The little girl in me still believed 'bigger is better', so I tore through the largest box. "Oh, thank you Truett! It's beautiful, and I held up a gold dress watch."
Then, on to the second box. "Oh, goody! Oh goody!" I thought. I ripped the tissue paper out and pulled out a bracelet watch with turquoise stones in the bracelet. Surely, he didn't. Please say he didn't. We can't afford this.
But, sure enough, I opened the smallest box, tossed the tissue paper to the floor and gently pulled out a watch with a leather band. I looked at Truett. "Honey, they're all beautiful, but I want to talk to you later." And I gave him a peck on the cheek.
I did have my little talk with Truett; and quite frankly I told him I was never ever EVER going to tell him what I wanted for Christmas. "It's all up to you now," I said. "You know me. You know what my interests are . . . better yet, get me ONE gift card next year . . .AND let's set a $50 limit. Okay?"
"Sounds good," Truett answered. Now to end the story, for years afterward I did get a gift card; but do you think my husband played by my rules?
Not on your life! I spent exactly $50 on him and he spent three times that amount on me. I would just shake my head in disbelief.
Dear sweet Truett. I loved you. You were always so generous. I still love you and I always will, you big spender.
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