Della & Jim

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry tells the story of Della & Jim Young, a couple living in a modest flat in NYC, who are very much in love, and who are poor as church mice.  It's Christmas eve, 1903, and Della has $1.87, hardly enough to buy her beloved Jim a gift.  She possess natural beauty, but most notably is her long, thick chestnut colored tresses. She decides to cut her prize possession and sell the "large mass" to Madame Sofronie, who owns a hair goods shop.  Della receives $20.00.  She races to the shop where she will buy Jim a platinum fob chain for his watch, his prized possession that he inherited from his grandfather.  She returns home to curl what little hair she has left, prepare coffee and chops for their dinner, and wait for her love to return home from work.

 

Jim arrives home at 7 p.m. and standing in the doorway looking at Della he is "as immovable as a setter at the scent of quail."  Della  interprets his expression as disappointment of her new look, and begs him not to mind her in that peculiar way. She says, "I'm me without my hair, ain't I?" 

 

Jim responds, "Don't make any mistake, Dell, about me. I don't think there's anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less."

 

The story continues on and tells of Jim having pawned his pocket watch to purchase tortoise shell, jewel rimmed combs for Della's hair. And O. Henry tugs on the valves of our hearts like a petulant child yanking on a mother's aprong strings as he poetically describes each half of this whole presenting their gifts to each other.  Realizing their "prized possessions" have been sold, Della & Jim ultimatley decide they'll hold off on using their gifts for now, and tuck them away. They prepare to eat their chops.

 

The Gift of the Magi is one my favorite short stories. O. Henry, thank you for this love letter!  Yes, the story of Della & Jim is a love letter that affirms my belief that love is not etheral or intangible, that it makes the impossible possible.  You must know sooner than later that Love heals and transforms. It softens & strengthens. Love makes us resourceful and smart, mindful and careful. Perhaps I reutrn to this story again and again because I am a romantic at heart.  I know it is absolutely necessary to love without reservation, in order to stand strong in a world that makes us all so weary more often than not. 

 

It's the holidays. I will be a LIVING, BREATHING, LOVE LETTER to the world. Being "love" in word and action is HOW we all need to love. So, decide who you love and let them know it. Sacrifice something you love for another. Love begets love; by giving we recieve and by allowing ourselves to recieve love we are moved to give more. Here are some ways I've said "I LOVE YOU" to the world this year, and I didn't even have to cut my hair! What I've received in return for small acts of kindness is invaluable and multiplies every day.  Miracles abound! 

• Buy the person standing behind you in line at Starbucks a coffee.  

• Let someone in the grocery store, who has MORE or LESS items in their carriage, go before you. (It's the best way I have practiced slowing down and taking a breath).

• Offer to do a load of laudry for a friend.  (In New York City, this act of kindness is like being given a winning lottery ticket!).

 

• Call a friend and leave them a message enumerating 5 things you love about them.  And let them know there is no need to call back. 

• Send an old friend a note thanking them for a particulaly fond memory.  Write out the story as you remember it, and let them know they will always hold a little place in your heart, and they provided a moment of happiness to your life.

• Sit in silence with a friend who you know needs company.  It's amazing how intimate silence is and the lasting bond it creates.

• Pay for the jar of peanut butter the family in front of you at the supermarket had to take off the conveyer belt b/c they didn't have enough money. 

• Give someone the shirt or overcoat off your back.  A young woman attendant at a Mobile Station complimented me on the blazer I was wearing.  I gave it to her.  Pay it forward. 

• Give someone a second chance.  Everyone deserves a second chance.

• Tell people what you dream.  They want to help you make it your reality.

•  Volunteer your time for an hour anywhere you know you'd be needed.  You can create a lot of change for someone in an hour.

• Accept gifts and love from friends.  People want to know they make a difference.

• Thank people.  The words "THANK YOU" are powerful.

•  Show up for people.  Be present.

 

Happy Holidays!  Peace to you. I wish you love.  

Hope