the box

This is something a good friend of mine gave to me over a year ago. It is very special to my heart. I was thinking about it today, so I thought I'd share it with you. Its by Kathy.

. . I carried my small box around with me everywhere. It was beautifully decorated with white lace ribbon and gold foil paper that shimmered in the light. My Father had given it to me. He had entrusted this wonderful gift to my care. He told me I must not open, for it was a present for someone very special. Day by day and year by year I carried the box. As I grew older, I began to wonder if I would ever find the one the gift was meant for.
. . One day I met a very special friend. I began to believe that he was the one that the gift was meant for. Confidently, I handed him the box and watched as he slowly unwrapped it. He began by slowly removing the delicate lace ribbon. Then he gently removed the tape from the edges and the contents, he looked at me in disgust, closed the lid, and shoved the box back at me. I never saw him again. I was crushed. I tried diligently to restore the box to its former beauty, but somehow it just wasn't the same. The gold paper had been slightly ripped and the ribbon stretched. I did the best I could but it just wasn't the same.
. . Years went by and many times, I felt that I had found that special person who was ready to receive this precious gift. But time and time again, they would turn away. The once beautiful gold foil paper was now worn beyond recognition; the ribbon lost a few years back. I could no longer wrap it so I carried just the small white box.
. . Then it happened, I finally met the one that was worthy of the gift. I felt ashamed; the beautiful wrapping and ribbon were gone. Why would he want such a gift? I handed him the box anyway. He opened it and smiled. He took the gift and made it his own. He cared for it as his prize possession. Day by day, year by year, our happiness grew as we became closer and closer. I knew him as My Love.
. . One night as we walked through the park together, we were attacked by a black hooded creature. It tried to kill me and steal the gift. My Love defend me and the gift with his life. I was helpless as I watched him die before me, cruelly stabbed. Filled with anger, I chased the creature. We began a bitter battle which seemed to last for days. Just when I seemed destined to die myself, My Love appeared. He was dressed in a robe of white. I feared that I was going into delirium, how could this be, I had just watched him die. But this was no delirium, My Love took hold of the creature and crushed it with one blow. Its limp body fell to the pavement with a thud. Curious, I peered into the robe. I was horrified with the sight, for the creature bore my face and tattooed on its body were all the names of all the others that I had given my gift to. All I could do was fall to my knees and cry. How could My Love forgive me for all that had take place? How could we go on? I had lost it all.
. . A flash of light intruded into my solace. I looked up in time to see my love setting fire to the body on the pavement. I watched weeping as it slowly burned. I felt fear as the last ember crumbled. I looked up at My Love who had been standing patiently waiting. My head dropped and my eyes again filled with tears as a hopeless feeling filled my heart. As the final flame died, I felt a gentle tap on my back. It was My Love, summoning me. I turned away ashamed of past events. I couldn't even look him in the eye. Persistent, he bent down and picked me up. Tears continued to roll down my face. He began to walk slowly with me in his arms. I turned to look at the ashes of the creature, but they had disappeared. Nothing remained of the creature. Slowly, I turned my head back and as I did, I noticed My Love carrying a small box beautifully wrapped in gold foil paper and white lace ribbon.