Every summer, Liam spent his vacations at his grandmother Agnes’ house in Texas, where they worked on her farm together. Agnes would select fresh vegetables from her garden and cook Liam’s favorite mushroom soup every evening, while the youngster went around collecting walnuts for the shell boats he fashioned for his toy troops.
Agnes’ 10-year-old grandson meant everything to her. When Liam couldn’t see her during the school year, the frail 65-year-old grandmother would take the train every weekend to see him, and she never failed to give him a gift.
Liam, on the other hand, never appreciated her gifts; in fact, after a few heartbreaks from receiving science fiction books instead of comic books in the boxes, he never opened the other gifts and merely stacked them in his room. “Grandma!” he would exclaim. “You said you’d get me some comics. This isn’t what I’m looking for!
Agnes would scoff at the boy’s folly. “You should never judge a book by its cover, Liam. Have you read any of the books I’ve given you?”
“Well, I was hoping to, but…”
“I can’t believe you didn’t read the books I got you, Liam,” Agnes would mutter. “I assumed you enjoyed my presents.” She liked tormenting her grandson and watching how he grimaced when he felt bad about not appreciating her presents.
Agnes was soaked in the rain when visiting Liam one day, and the toolbox she’d purchased became filthy. The woman had accidentally left it on the porch while attempting to clean the water droplets from her spectacles, and by the time it landed in Liam’s hands, the dust on it was more evident than the present wrap, which had been removed in some places by the pouring rain.
“Why does it appear so filthy, Grandma?” This was Liam’s initial response to seeing it. “It appears to have been soaked in dust and mud.”
“I’m sorry, honey,” Agnes said. “It was pouring fiercely outside, and I made the mistake of leaving it on the ground.” Anyway, don’t you want to know what’s inside?”
“Well…” Liam was horrified by the appearance of the toolbox, but more so by the notion that Agnes would have purchased those insipid books for him again, so the boy merely assured her he’d open it later, trying not to offend her sentiments. “I’ll open it later, Grandma.” “Come inside first; you’ll get sick if you don’t dry off.”
Liam threw the box on the highest shelf and forgot about it when Agnes left their house that day. However, the next day, his grandma called to see whether he had opened her present. “Did you enjoy the gift I got you, Liam?” she said over the phone.
“I haven’t opened it yet, grandmother,” Liam explained, “but I’ll let you know after I check it out,” before hanging up the phone.
Agnes phoned again the next day, and this continued for a week. Liam would constantly find an excuse to change the subject and avoid talking about the box.
He was sitting by the phone one morning, ready to create an excuse to evade Agnes’ query, but when the child answered the phone, he hurried to his mother. “Mom!” Liam sobbed. “Granny has been admitted to the hospital!”
Liam and his mother went to the hospital and got the shock of their lives when they discovered Agnes unconscious and lying on the bed like a corpse. Liam’s mother stayed with her in the hospital that night, hoping she might wake up, but Agnes never did.
Liam couldn’t stop weeping after learning the dreadful news. The first thought that sprang to him was to open the toolbox that his grandma had given him. He ran over to the shelf, grabbed it, and slid it onto his bed. and tears welled up in his eyes as he opened the box.
There were a lot of toy soldiers, comic novels, and a note addressed to him on top.
“Dear Liam,” stated the letter. “Three months ago, I was diagnosed with cancer. Doctors told me that I was nearing the end of my life and that I could die at any time. When I found out, I was crushed. Your parents are aware of what is going on. I wanted you to be aware as well. But, to be honest, more than death, I’m concerned about how I’ll break the news to my 10-year-old grandson.”
“This may be the final gift you receive from me,” the letter said. “Don’t bother asking me why.” I simply have a nagging feeling I won’t be able to see you again. “I wanted to make this toolbox a particular gift for you, so I filled it with all of your favorite things.”
“Sorry, grandma Agnes is growing old and exhausted, so she couldn’t walk outside to have it bent and adorned in a nice fashion. But you already know that this toolbox is precious to me since it belonged to your late grandfather. I hope you appreciate my present. Please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. “Anges, with love.”
After reading the letter, Liam was sad. He was tired of making excuses for Agnes and despising her gifts.
Every time he went to see his grandmother’s grave, he sat by her and read her the books she’d given him. And every year on her birthday, he’d purchase her favorite flowers and write her a letter, saying, “Happy birthday to the finest grandma in the world.” Grandma, you gave the nicest gifts. I wish we had had more time together. But I know you’re in a secure location. I adore you. Liam, your grandchild.”
What can we glean from this narrative?
Act now, before it’s too late. Liam could have spent more time with his ill grandma if he had opened the toolbox earlier.
You should never judge a book by its cover. Liam dismissed Agnes’ gift because it was an old toolbox, but as he opened it, he understood it was his grandmother’s most significant gift because it was the final.
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