With a glance at the clock, Leo wished it was closing time so he could finish Ana’s gift, his last hope for improving his relationship with his daughter. The busy holidays were great for his jewelry business. It also helped get his mind off his wife’s death earlier in the year, but he had little time to make gifts.
Leo shortened his conversation with his customer. “Thank you, Bill.” He placed the velvet box in friend’s hand. “I’m sure your sweet wife will love her ring.”
No more customers. No more friends.
He went to the front door, locked it, and turned the sign to Closed. He hadn’t planned to close early, but this was Christmas Eve and he was out of time.
At his work bench, he unwrapped the polished stone, found by accident. Ana would love it because it came from where they went camping when she was little. At first glance, it looked like any shiny rock, but as light fell onto the surface, a rainbow beamed onto the workroom wall.
He selected the finest gold setting—simple, yet elegant, with natural ocean-jasper beads gracing a dainty chain. He reached for a closure.
No. That won’t do. Such a fine piece must have a special clasp.
He rummaged through the drawer and held up a heart shaped fastener. Perfect. A heart for the love of my heart. The extraordinary stone, mounted on a swirled connector, created the focal point of the necklace. The beads between two-inch lengths of chain complemented the stone without distraction.
His hands ached and his eyes burned from working with so many tiny pieces, but he was almost finished. While he secured the finishing rings and heart clasp, church bells announced the midnight services. He dropped the pendant into its velvet box and closed the lid.
Ana will treasure this. She has to. I need her now. We need each other.
With the velvet box in his pocket, he switched off the light and stepped into the night, entering the church with bright expectations for the morning. Indeed, this would be a merry Christmas.
Ana woke early, expecting the smell of turkey in the oven. Mom always cooked the turkey overnight, and the smell woke her long before sunrise. This time, she was shaken by the missing smell, a reminder that Mom wasn’t there.
Oh, Mom, I miss you so much. I worry about Dad. He stays late at the shop and barely eats. I wish you were here. I don’t even know how to cook a turkey.
While wiping the tears from her eyes, she started the coffee maker.
A knock at the back door.
Who could that be? Not Dad. Yes, probably, but this early? Just show up. Don’t think to call. That was Dad, off in his own world, never considering her feelings.
She opened the door to see her father, arms loaded with presents. “Dad, what are you doing, spending so much money?”
“I didn’t spend much. I’ve been busy creating gifts with my own hands.” His eyes twinkled. “Well, don’t just stand there. Help me get them under the tree before my grandchildren wake up.”
“How did you find time?” She tried not to sound suspicious. “Every time I called the shop, you were too busy to talk.”
As they placed the last package under the tree, Tina and Terry bounced into the room, full of hugs and giggles, as if their grandmother hadn’t been missed.
Ana thought, This isn’t right, but didn’t say anything.
Wrapping paper flew around the room, in less than half an hour reducing months of shopping to a stash of clothes and toys. The kids’ joyful shrieks reminded her of days when she was little, hugging Mom, laughing and saying thank you. Tears stung her eyes as she swallowed hard and went to the kitchen for more coffee.
Dad followed. “Princess, one more gift. I made this for you.” His face glowing, he handed her a velvet box.
Who was he calling princess? He hadn’t called her that since she was little. She peeked inside the box. “Oh, nice. A shiny rock.”
“Not just any rock. Remember that place where we loved to camp when you were a girl?”
Ana nodded, seeing gigantic trees, cool forests, and long hikes. She choked at the thought of Mom bringing marshmallows, chocolates, and graham crackers to make smores. “You would hold the marshmallow just above the fire until that golden brown crust produced the perfect flavor.”
“I went back there last week. This stone was right in my path—waiting for me to pick it up. The beauty was hidden inside, just needing to be polished and brought into the light. God made this especially for you.”
“Dad, you shouldn’t have gone out there alone. You could have hurt yourself.” She held the necklace away from her, not sure she wanted it. “Besides, all this gold and fancy gems. It’s too expensive.”
“You’re my only daughter,” Dad said, sounding disappointed, tears filling his eyes. “I wanted to make a special gift for you.”
“It’s nice, Dad. Really.” She feared crying if she said anymore, thinking, why can’t Mom be here?
“I’m sorry you don’t like it.”
“It’s not that. It’s beautiful.” She turned the stone in her hand. “You know I don’t wear jewelry. It’s such an extravagant gift.”
“Love should be extravagant,” he whispered. “God gave the most extravagant gift of all on that first Christmas. He brought salvation to the world.”
“I know.” She sighed and wrapped her arms around him, trying to make up for hurting him.
The remainder of the day passed with a semblance of joy, but the wounded look in his eyes haunted her long after he had left. He did love her, perhaps too much.
Late that night, the phone rang.
“Ana, this is Bill.” His tone was soft, hardly more than a whisper. “I went to see Leo, to tell him how happy Sue was with…” His voice trailed into sobs. “Ana… sweetheart… your dad has suffered a massive heart attack. The medics are with him, but he’s gone. I’m so sorry.”
Ana collapsed on the floor, surrounded by his gifts. The velvet box was on the coffee table, right there where she had left it. Hands trembling, she removed the pendant and studied the intricate detail. She pictured her dad bent over his workbench. He must have worked for many hours to create the perfect gift. As she turned the stone, the Christmas lights cast a rainbow of colors across the room. She pulled the pendant to her heart, treasuring extravagant love.
What had Dad said? God made this especially for you. She squeezed the stone and said, Thank you, Lord, for Mom and Dad and warming my heart with your love.