The Christmas Gift
- groovychickpjw
- Jan 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 13
Terri and I met in Pilates class at Life Time Fitness in West County. We began chatting when our class decided to collect funds for a gift for our instructor Diane who had earned a master’s degree in education.
As we collected contributions (which we used to donate to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, a local race that raised funds for children in St. Louis and chocolate and flowers for Diane) many friends would hand us notes with their names on it so we could add everyone’s name to the card.
I had noticed Terri a few times and always tried to smile. She approached me with her contribution and said, “I’m Terri with two r’s and an i.”
“Got it and thank you,” I responded.
On one of the next times Terri and I saw each other in class she shared that she had a sister named Pam and that she had passed away. I told her how sorry I was as I have a sister who I’m pretty sure I couldn’t live without.
Gradually, as women do, Terri and I became friends. She shared that she had three daughters and grandchildren and that her youngest daughter Elly was about to have her first baby. Elly and her family live in Oregon and Terri was so excited to visit for a few weeks.
At some point Terri and I began talking about dresses and she shared an incredible photo of herself in a purple dress out with friends. She looked so happy and cute. I had just gotten a cute Athleta dress on major sale plus other discounts and showed Terri the photo where I was rocking that dress. She loved it. We both began trying to find that dress on discount again. (It’s the Santorini dress in black rib.)
We continued chatting and gradually she filled in her story for me. She had lost the love of her life a few years before and was making her way day by day. She had moved to West County and was enjoying working out at Life Time and meeting people and recently started a new job.
Terri was also kind enough to continue sharing stories about her new granddaughter Lilly. She also showed me photos of this cute little girl. Terri was enthralled. And completely in love with this new member of her family.
In December I asked Terri if she was going to visit Elly and Lilly for the holidays. She wouldn’t be and it was causing her sadness. She has two daughters and grandchildren here that she would celebrate with, but you could easily tell Terri wished Elly and her family would have been here with
their entire family.
One morning at Pilates I looked at Terri and asked, “Terri, why don’t we video you reading stories to Lilly and you can send them as Christmas presents?” Terri looked at me with that beautiful smile she has.
“Would you really want to help me?”
“I would love to. Text me availability and we will make this happen.” Later when Terri and I were talking, I suggested she think of books she could read on video that her own children liked, including favorites of Elly.
On a cold Monday in December I went to Terri’s warm, happy home decorated for the holidays. I thought it would be a good idea to video Terri in her home so that Lilly would see her grandmothers’ house. Terri was dressed for a holiday party and looked beautiful and happy (I was coming from danze class!).
We chatted for a while and then with Terri sitting in front of her Christmas tree, I encouraged her to read as if she was reading to her grandchildren now and her children years before (it comes back to all of us!). And to talk to me so that it felt natural. We used her phone and tested the sound, video, and picture to make sure Terri liked it.
Terri read three books. Santa Mouse, Frosty the Snowman and Green Eggs and Ham. Always a fun one to read aloud!
She did a wonderful job, introducing herself to Lilly as Nonna and letting her know how much she loved her, wishing her a Merry Christmas. She also told her how much her mom loved these stories too. Witnessing this love for her family and how engaged Terri was reading these books to a baby thousands of miles away gave me goosebumps. And I could tell Terri was so happy. She smiled that incredible smile throughout the videos.
After hugging goodbye I thought about Terri and her willingness to try something completely new. By the time I got home, I received this text: “OMG!!! These videos are priceless. Thank you. Thank you.” She also shared that Elly loved the surprise gift for her daughter.
I hope I always remember the Christmas Gift from Terri to her new granddaughter. For me, the gift was a fun, touching way to spend an afternoon with a friend who trusted me enough to help her make this idea come to life. Thank you, Terri, and thank you Lilly. Happy Holidays.
Expect Good. Defy Gravity. Sparkle ON! Focus Forward.
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