The Gift of the Magi

If you are not acquainted with the classic short story by O. Henry, please follow the link and read it now. No, wait, read it after you read this post, or my version will pale next to the original. Still, Della and Jim sprang to mind today when I opened my Christmas present from my dear friend Debbie:
Before I lost my beloved Rosie, and before Debbie's back problems forced her off her horse and onto the surgery table, we had thought of each other and shopped for one another's Christmas presents lovingly. She ordered this 2007 Danbury Mint bulldog ornament for me; I ordered her favorite riding gloves for her. After we got Jackson, Debbie asked me if I would mind if my Christmas present was bulldog-related; I laughed and responded "Not if you don't mind that your Christmas present is riding-related!"

While neither of us sacrificed our sole treasure to buy our gifts for each other, there is a certain irony that our gifts were chosen for something dear to the other's heart, and since lost -- although like Della's hair, I pray that Debbie's loss of riding ability is eventually restored.

That's it for now at . . .