I’m not sure why I’m writing this , but I just had the urge to. It’s a kind of long story, but it’s really meaningful to my life.
I am a person that does not care much for material things. Of course I like cute objects or nice possessions, but as long as something is functional and isn’t terribly unattractive or dingy, I don’t really care. However, there is one material object of mine that I cherish and I would never, ever give up. So this is the story of that object.
January 4th, 2010. It was the first day of school after winter break, and I met up with my boyfriend, Bert, before classes started. He walked me to my class as usual, and before he left, he handed me a red envelope, a late Christmas present. I was wondering why, as it wasn’t Chinese New Year yet, and red envelopes aren’t what you usually give your girlfriend, but I accepted it. I asked what was in it and he told me it wasn’t an ordinary red envelope and to just open it later. So in class a few minutes later, as everyone was bustling in and the teacher was going over something unimportant, I opened the envelope. In it was a handwritten letter folded up, and a beautiful cross necklace, silver and shiny. I was shocked, as it was the first time I had received jewelry from a guy, and it was so pretty. I remember my jaw even dropped in awe (and @jaaaynalyn was staring at me like I was weird). Reading the note, I was even more touched. He could tell my winter break hadn’t been the best and I had been sort of down lately, so he had written, “I just want you to know, I will be there for you, every step of the way, no matter what it is or how bad it is. You’re my girlfriend and I love you so much. You mean everything to me. You’re not alone, ever.”
I’d never been so touched in my life.
The ensuing days all seem like a blur to me. Neither of us had known beforehand, but soon his words would be put to the test, so to speak. Three days after Bert had given me that note, my grandma got really sick, and passed away about a week and a half later. She had taken care of me when I was a small child, and I loved her a lot, so I was devastated. Added onto that was family tension, parents fighting, etc. I’d been depressed before but nothing ever made me as depressed as that; nobody really knew it but I cried every day for over a month about it. I felt really empty, hurt, you name it. Grief isn’t easy to deal with.
But Bert stuck by me through it all. Beside him, I was always able to show my vulnerable self, and seek comfort in him when I needed it, which was a lot during those winter months. Despite the fact that he had his own stresses and was busy with tennis and school and everything else in life, he took the time to talk to me a lot every day, easing my lonely feelings. He supported me so much when I had no way of supporting myself, and truly was there “every step of the way, no matter how bad.” He was the person that got me to truly smile again, and he healed my shattered heart. It took a long time, but in the same way that I put the cross necklace on every day, he was there every day, supporting me and helping me. He led me back to Happiness.
I once told him that I felt so alone. When I told this, he asked me, “Do you still have the necklace I gave you…?” And instantly I learned, I’m never alone. I had him giving me strength; I had God’s love; I had friends; I had so much love, especially from him. So gradually, this necklace that he had given me that cold morning became a symbol of his love, his constant support.
Months later, on another cold morning, we were talking and out of the blue, he leaned close to me. He picked up the necklace, and gently gave it a kiss, telling me factually, “That way you always have me around you.” That caused me to smile one of the hugest grins I ever have, and now, even though we live hundreds of miles apart in different colleges, I believe the statement that he is always with me is a fact. Whenever I miss him I think of this necklace, our memories, and how he is always with me and how he loves me so enormously much.
I’m honestly so lucky, and for that I’m always grateful. It’s not often that a person experiences love like this, and that I have it in my life right now is an incredible blessing. He stuck by me despite anything and everything. I haven’t always been the best person. My strict parents make our going on dates and seeing each other pretty difficult at times. He had enough stress already without having to take care of me those months that I was that down and sad; I was just adding to his stress. Bert could have easily left me and ended our relationship, there were enough of reasons to. But he stayed with me, overcoming any challenges, and making my heart warm and whole once again. And that’s how I know it’s really love; he is always here for me when I need it, and I would do anything for him if he needed it. Life’s not always easy, but we have each other.
And I have the necklace, the material manifestation of his awesome support and love. Every morning, as I put this cross around my neck, I am reminded that beyond anything else, I will never be alone. God has blessed me with a love I never knew could exist. On another note, the cross also reminds me of my faith too, and of God’s undying love. In that way, the cross has double-meaning: the greatest love I have ever experienced on Earth, and also the greatest love there is: love from God.
So Bert, when you read this, I want to say thank you. Thank you for loving me even when I wasn’t at my best, for sticking by me despite my flaws, for showing endless compassion and helping me to find inner strength I didn’t know I had before. Thank you for helping me to become the much happier person I am today. I love you so much!
And I want to thank God too. For always showing me love even when I sin. For blessing me with this much luck in a relationship. For blessing me with a great group of friends, happiness, growth in character.
So that’s pretty much the story. One guy, one girl, one necklace, and a whole bunch of love.
I’ll always wear this cross necklace with a smile.
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A Treasured Possession
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