The Best Christmas Gift Ever

My only daughter lives 1,ooo miles away with her mom. The last Christmas I spent with her was 16 years ago. For a few years after her mom and I split, I wasback in Canada, I would fly down to Florida after the holiday to spend time with her and my oldest son. I could only charge so many trips before Visa started to get too heavy. If only life were like the commercials. Still every year I shipped boxes of wrapped gifts to the kids. I never received any packages back but then I never expected any.

Last year I received a post card a week after Christmas for a parcel waiting for me at the Post Office depot. Even though I was 41 at the time I was still stoked to be receiving a package. I was pretty certain it wasn't court documents as the hatchet my ex-wife wielded for years had been long buried.

The package was not a court document but rather a box containing a beat up wrapped parcel. I couldn't wait to get home so I ripped the wrapping off in the front seat of my car sitting in the parking lot. Under the colourful paper was the greatest gift I have ever received. It was from my 16 year old daughter. As soon as I saw the gift I knew she really cared about me. It was a demonstration that she actually listened to the silly things I said when we talked about nothing important. The gift wasn't expensive, probably cost more to ship it than to purchase it.

My daughter sent me a box of Cocoa Puffs for Christmas. I loved Cocoa Puffs as a kid. For some reason they stopped selling them in Canada some 20 years ago. Cocoa Puffs represented a cherished memory of my childhood and my daughter recognized that. The box of cereal didn't mean anything, although I enjoyed them immensely. No, the gift wasn't all that important. It was the thought that counted.

Even though you won't be reading this, I want the world to know I love you Baby Girl and I will always cherish that gift. Love you lots, Dad.