Considered a master of the “surprise ending” to a short story, O. Henry, otherwise known by his real name of William Sydney Porter, wove his magic creating short stories that so often served as reminders of important fundamentals of life.
One of those powerful reminders surfaces in his short story entitled “The Gift of the Magi.” That classic, one often read near Christmas, is one that serves to remind us of what is truly special about Christmas. O. Henry’s reminder is a simple one – “It is not what we receive from others; instead, it is what we give to those a part of our lives.”
That recognition is one that definitely should be a paramount reminder as we ponder what we can provide for those we know. Sadly, we are so often oblivious to the needs of those a part of our circles. Taking time to chat or lend a listening ear or hand might just be the best presents we can provide for someone facing hurdles in life. Imagine those who have lost loved ones in their lives and the loneliness they may face as they tackle the holiday season without that loved one’s presence. Yes, we indeed can put aside some of our minutes of the day to be individuals who bring momentary joy into the lives of folks we know.
We might also remember our gifts to others do not need to be expensive ones. Instead, those gifts might reflect the talents we have that can bring joy to the recipients of our gifts. One of my most treasured gifts from Mom is one she crocheted years ago – each stitch of that beautiful Afghan reflected her talents and her desire to share her talents with CLW. Though not an expensive item monetarily, it far exceeds any monetary value as it reflects the love she had for so many a part of her life.
As true of the other two examples, O. Henry’s theme found in “The Gift of the Magi” also serves to remind us of the value each person in the entire world possesses. Though we cannot be that special individual to each person we know, we can be that “special” person to many folks who are a part of our circles of influence. Being that “special” person is something no one can take from us. We simply need to recall our being the “light” of someone else’s life can serve to make others’ worlds much more bearable and much more joyful.
Yes, O. Henry, one who adopted his pseudonym many decades ago, clearly understood many of the simplicities of life that have held true for centuries. Our worlds, ones we control each second of each day, can be worlds providing joy to those in our spheres of influence. Though our gifts may seem rather simplistic, those gifts can serve to bring joy into the lives of those whose spirits might just benefit from the “gifts” we can provide them.
Note: A complete text of “The Gift of the Magi” can be found using this link — https://americanliterature.com/author/o-henry/short-story/the-gift-of-the-magi.
~ Article by Carolyn L. Wells
December 24, 2023
