Xmas Infinity
Last night I stumbled home in the cold to find a package waiting for me. I’d been expecting it – something from Boyfriend, a late Christmas present he’d been buzzing about. Knowing him as I do, I knew it would be something wonderful. And it was.
I’m a writer. I love words. I love books. I read voraciously. But one book has stuck with me for the past few years – Black Swan Green by David Mitchell. I didn’t realize when he asked me about this book, this beautiful wonderful book that I love, that he had something up his sleeve. I thought he just wanted to read something that I recommended, which is a wonderful gesture in itself.
The note that came with the book said, among other things, “look inside.” I peeked at the front cover, the back cover, leafed through the pages. Nothing. What gives? Then I saw it, thick black marker on the title page.
Not just a book I love, not just the first printing of a book I love, but a signed first printing of a book I love. I called him immediately to thank him, but I had so little to say. I was blown away and overwhelmed and could barely get any words out. Oh, there were tears! All I could do was stare down at this incredible gift and reflect on my own good fortune at loving and being loved by this man. My only regret of the night was living so far away from him and not being able to thank him as properly as he deserved.
