Pam
09-09-2001, 01:26 PM
I have a marvelous Christmas story to tell - a true story. I wrote this account shortly after Christmas of 1999:
I have four young nephews and one niece. All these children are special to us in so many ways, but my young niece Elizabeth has a special gift for music.
Elizabeth has always shown an interest in music. She's proven over and over again, through the years that she has a special gift. Only 12 years old at the time, she played the flute and clarinet beautifully, well advanced in her class, past children much older than she is. Even as a toddler, she showed a special affinity for anything with a keyboard.
Two years ago, my sister scraped and saved, and bought a used, upright piano, and Elizabeth began piano lessons. My favorite memory is of Liz and I, when she was only 9, playing "Edelweiss" together from "The Sound of Music". She on the piano, and I on my old flute, that I had lent her so she could take flute lessons at school. The piano is old, and is constantly going out of tune. But my sister continues to scrape and save, and keeps calling the piano tuner to the house, so Elizabeth can practice - something she loves, and never has to be told or reminded to do.
My sister and her husband have 4 children. My sister does not work outside of the home, and they live a simple life, in a modest, yet comfortable home. Her husband works long and hard hours, so that 2 of the children can have the specialized schooling because of their learning disabilities. Material luxuries do not abound in their household. The emphasis is on the kid's activities, and their education.
Two weeks ago, my sister received a call from a delivery service, saying they had a special delivery. A time for the delivery was arranged. My sister didn't think too much about it, because the family is spread out around the country, and at this time of year, (Christmas) many packages came for the children in the mail or by special delivery.
But when the day arrived for the delivery - to my sister's and Elizabeth's shocked surprise - the delivery men carried a brand new, upright piano and bench off the truck, and into their home. Accompanying the piano, was a computer-made card, with a holiday poem, wishing their family many years of joy with the new piano. It was signed simply "Santa Clause". On the back of the card, it said "Made by Santa Clause".
My sister called the delivery company and spoke to the dispatcher. She asked who the sender was, so she could express her gratitude. The dispatcher apologized, but said that she could not reveal who the sender was, at the sender's request. My sister asked the woman to pass on her gratitude and surprise to the giver. The dispatcher said she could do that much, but still would not reveal who the sender was
My sister and her husband, and I and my husband have wracked our brains trying to figure out who this generous person could be. We went through a list of family and friends, but no one that we know of, has the financial means to present a gift of this kind - a brand new piano!
I can only imagine the joy that this kind person is experiencing, knowing that their gift was received. Obviously, this person went through a great deal of time and effort to arrange this gift, and to remain anonymous. How kind and giving, and selfless, to deliver such a wonderful present, and to not ask for anything in return - not even a "thank you". Their only reward is the knowing that Elizabeth now has an instrument of a quality that matches her talent.
When my sister first called me, just minutes after the piano was delivered, to ask if it was ME who sent the piano (if only!) I heard Elizabeth in the background, tinkling the keys. Even over the phone, the golden and warm sounds of a brand new piano could be heard as she played.
But while my sister and I pondered who this person might be, I heard Elizabeth pause at the piano for a moment, and say, "It's TRUE - there IS a Santa Clause!" :) She seems to be satisfied with that answer, and I think I will follow her lead, and be satisfied that Santa Clause is alive and well, in those whose hearts understand the true meaning of selfless giving. :)
I have four young nephews and one niece. All these children are special to us in so many ways, but my young niece Elizabeth has a special gift for music.
Elizabeth has always shown an interest in music. She's proven over and over again, through the years that she has a special gift. Only 12 years old at the time, she played the flute and clarinet beautifully, well advanced in her class, past children much older than she is. Even as a toddler, she showed a special affinity for anything with a keyboard.
Two years ago, my sister scraped and saved, and bought a used, upright piano, and Elizabeth began piano lessons. My favorite memory is of Liz and I, when she was only 9, playing "Edelweiss" together from "The Sound of Music". She on the piano, and I on my old flute, that I had lent her so she could take flute lessons at school. The piano is old, and is constantly going out of tune. But my sister continues to scrape and save, and keeps calling the piano tuner to the house, so Elizabeth can practice - something she loves, and never has to be told or reminded to do.
My sister and her husband have 4 children. My sister does not work outside of the home, and they live a simple life, in a modest, yet comfortable home. Her husband works long and hard hours, so that 2 of the children can have the specialized schooling because of their learning disabilities. Material luxuries do not abound in their household. The emphasis is on the kid's activities, and their education.
Two weeks ago, my sister received a call from a delivery service, saying they had a special delivery. A time for the delivery was arranged. My sister didn't think too much about it, because the family is spread out around the country, and at this time of year, (Christmas) many packages came for the children in the mail or by special delivery.
But when the day arrived for the delivery - to my sister's and Elizabeth's shocked surprise - the delivery men carried a brand new, upright piano and bench off the truck, and into their home. Accompanying the piano, was a computer-made card, with a holiday poem, wishing their family many years of joy with the new piano. It was signed simply "Santa Clause". On the back of the card, it said "Made by Santa Clause".
My sister called the delivery company and spoke to the dispatcher. She asked who the sender was, so she could express her gratitude. The dispatcher apologized, but said that she could not reveal who the sender was, at the sender's request. My sister asked the woman to pass on her gratitude and surprise to the giver. The dispatcher said she could do that much, but still would not reveal who the sender was
My sister and her husband, and I and my husband have wracked our brains trying to figure out who this generous person could be. We went through a list of family and friends, but no one that we know of, has the financial means to present a gift of this kind - a brand new piano!
I can only imagine the joy that this kind person is experiencing, knowing that their gift was received. Obviously, this person went through a great deal of time and effort to arrange this gift, and to remain anonymous. How kind and giving, and selfless, to deliver such a wonderful present, and to not ask for anything in return - not even a "thank you". Their only reward is the knowing that Elizabeth now has an instrument of a quality that matches her talent.
When my sister first called me, just minutes after the piano was delivered, to ask if it was ME who sent the piano (if only!) I heard Elizabeth in the background, tinkling the keys. Even over the phone, the golden and warm sounds of a brand new piano could be heard as she played.
But while my sister and I pondered who this person might be, I heard Elizabeth pause at the piano for a moment, and say, "It's TRUE - there IS a Santa Clause!" :) She seems to be satisfied with that answer, and I think I will follow her lead, and be satisfied that Santa Clause is alive and well, in those whose hearts understand the true meaning of selfless giving. :)