Gift card
This year Elizabeth finished high school with the highest marks. It would be unneccessary to mention how happy her parents were for her achievements. They were proud of her marks and growing independence that turns into warm feelings and immense satisfaction with their daughter. They have been walking round like peacocks already for several days, showing their stunning tails to everybody. The study year was quite intense and the final exams quite tricky but without any big surprises. Elizabeth has already decided what and where to study next. Already several months ago, she had carefully researched offers of various universities and chosen her favorite. Application documents have also been submitted long back and what's left is to wait for the results.
After the long awaited prom and before the summer break, her parents have planned for a nice small family celebration to look back at these past twelve years that have gone by as fast as a bullet train, racing through the fields, shaking the grass, tree branches and leaves on its way. It will be a really small gathering in the garden with limonade (just like in childhood), ice cream (with bigger portions than in any cafe), out of this world snacks prepared by mom, and a photograph karaoke that dad prepares the best.
When the Sun starts looking for the best place to set far on the other side of the sea, the activities in Elizabeth's garden only start. Somebody is laying a table in the back yard, somebody is carefully taking care of plates and glasses, somebody else sets up the big video screen. All are impatient and waiting for the evening opening speech by dad as usual.
Godparents and cousins have also arrived, and you can hear the smallest children at the other corner of the garden. Majestic torches are lit on both sides of the pathway all the way from the gate to the house. Slow music is coming from the room through the open window.
Elizabeth gets congratulations, hundreds of kisses, tight hugs from little cousins, and a gift from godparents. Shortly after the music gets louder, people talk and laugh, while seeing older and newer interesting and significant moment photos of Elizabeth's life. Memories are being shared and discussed.
You look at the photograph with a little girl dressing up her favorite doll, and can not believe that now that same little girl is sitting across the table and looking at you with her deep blue eyes but already with an adult look. Are twelve years really like a gust of wind? Or is it like an eternity?
''It depends how you look at it,'' is what grandpa would say, who is overlooking the celebration from the side of a cloud, but is definitely happy like everyone else.
''Elizabeth, we have one more gift for you,'' mom says, handing her a small parcel wrapped with a red ribbon resembling an envelope.
Intrigued, Elizabeth takes the gift impatiently, secretly guessing what could be this mysterious gift in her hands. Swiftly she unties the ribbon until she sees a simple white envelope with her name written on it in familiar handwriting. Strange feeling takes her over. She is hesitating to open it, giving a quick glance to mom and then dad. Her heart starts beating faster and head is getting a little dizzy – she recognises her grandfather's handwriting – the gracious first ''E'' of her name, but it is doubtful that grandfather would have written this because he is not among us for over four years...
Encouraged by her parents Elizabeth opens the envelope, and holding it in her trembling hands, starts reading, ''Dear Beth, (only grandfather called her like this, so this letter is really written by the dear, wise grandfather himself) From the bottom of my heart I congratulate you on the first significant achievement – finishing high school! It is much but at the same nothing as well. Neverending possibilities, swift life turns, wide roads and stony pathways are ahead of you. On this wonderful day, I want to present you some sentences. If you wish, it can accompany you in both joy and sorrow. Beth, my dear granddaughter, although I am not here with you today, I am sending you hundreds of hugs. You have always been smart, pretty and sincere. I wish you to cherish these three treasures, be happy about it and share it with others.
You know, your parents have given you a wonderful gift card – your life. It is a gift card with an expiry date, you can not give it to somebody else or leave it unused. Only you decide how to use it. Fill each day you live with meaning, each sentence you say with sense, each work you do with sincerety and you will use your gift card wisely. Don't hesitate, start using it already now, today, tomorrow. Don't postpone it for later just because ''it is not the right moment now,'' ''there are more important things to do today,'' or ''I feel I will manage to do it later.'' Enjoy every moment you have, do what brings joy to you and your close ones. Go, serch, experiment, make mistakes and learn to laugh about it. And, if you fall, get up again and walk on. You are at the beginning of your path. Your gift card is full of surprises and success! Go and use it with mind and heart! Live as happy life, my dear granddaughter, as I lived mine! Simply – be happy!'' The last sentences are read out silently, the letters are jumping in between the lines, merging togehter in one big sea of ink and salty tears.
''My gift card! Thank you mom, thank you dad, thank you grandfather!''