The Gifts

Gifts have a knack for slipping into our lives when we least expect them. Is there ever a perfect moment or reason to give one? I honestly don’t know. What I do know is that gifts always manage to surprise me. Do they catch you off guard as well? 

Looking back on 2025, my heart fills with joy as I recall the thoughtful surprises from friends, family, and relatives. For those who marked a wedding, these gifts seemed to shine even brighter.

What gives a gift its true meaning? I’ve often wondered. While some see a gift as just a thing, a present chosen with care and wrapped in affection transforms into a vessel of thoughtfulness. It quietly says, “Someone remembered me and went the extra mile.” 

One afternoon, an unfamiliar voice with an Australian accent reached out to me. “Call me Steve,” he said. I replied, “You can call me Abbe.” That brief conversation sparked a journey spanning over eight months, filled with messages and meticulous planning to build his dream bike. When the day finally arrived, Steve traveled from Cochin in an SUV taxi to pick it up. After the handover, he pulled me aside and said, “Abbe, I have a gift for you,” presenting a large, beautifully wrapped package. I dashed to my room, grabbed the gift I had prepared for him, and hurried back. We exchanged gifts and a warm hug. “Wishing you miles of smiles until we meet again, Steve,” I said. As his SUV started up, we waved our goodbyes. 

Some people see hidden meanings—good or bad—in the gifts they receive. I’ve learned to be cautious when giving things like seashells, river stones, or oil lamps. These items can carry signs that might not bode well for the recipient. That’s why choosing a gift should always be a mindful act.

Each gift carries a bundle of thoughtfulness, memories, intention, joy, and sometimes even hidden meaning. Picking the right one is never easy. In the end, a gift is simply the giver’s heart made visible.

There is a unique thrill in unwrapping a gift. The mystery hidden inside each package sparks delight in people of every age. Recently, I’ve watched families on social media, huddled together, opening gifts and sharing laughter. What truly amused me was seeing everyone’s reactions to their surprises. When it comes to gifts, we really can’t be choosers! 

"Dream big, chase it down...life is a daring adventure or nothing at all"

There is a bittersweet truth about gifts: eventually, we must part with them, and to others, they may hold little meaning. Over time, our gifts fade from memory, just as we do. Paintings are taken down, books are passed on, and furniture moves to new homes. Only a rare few become cherished legacies or treasured heirlooms, finding a lasting place in someone’s heart. 

As Steve’s car disappeared down the road, I walked back inside, eager to discover what he had given me. Carefully opening the box, I found a beautiful Australian wooden boomerang nestled inside. It was a local artisanal product, native in style, and uniquely Australian. 

Dear Friends, do you know the truth about a boomerang? Whatever we throw at others comes back to us. Steve’s boomerang tells me so, every day, as I see it on my wall, as I walk away to my day!

Fine!