by Nancy O.

Since 1982 my husband has been collecting Waterford crystal ornaments. Faithfully, he has bought one a year, and I’ve had fun deciding how best to display them year after year.

Two years ago, after cruising through some decorating shops, I decided to hang these precious ornaments on some long, rubbery branches that I had placed in a tall white ceramic vase. I had weighted the bottom of the vase with black stones to secure the branches so they would stand.

After I had carefully placed each ornament, I stood back to admire what I had done. The vase needed straightening on the small table, so I reached out to re-arrange it. When I touched the vase, everything came crashing to the floor–branches, crystal, white pottery, and black stones, scattered everywhere.

Hearing the loud commotion, my husband came into the room. He said, “How can I help?” Shaken, I responded, “Just leave me alone right now.” He walked back out.

As gently as I could, I lifted the flexible branches with the crystal ornaments still attached, placing them softly on the dining room table. Then I cleaned up the mess–the shattered pottery, the stones.

I couldn’t even look at the crystal. I left it and went into the den to watch TV and get my mind off the disaster. When I sat down, my husband turned to me and said, “They’re just things. It doesn’t matter.” Both of us believed there had been a great loss.

The next morning, after a good night’s rest, I faced the branches on the dining room table and began removing, one by one, the ornaments. To my utter amazement, not one had been broken. No chips. No cracks. Not one. Truly, a gift.

But the greatest gift was my husband’s forgiveness and kindness.

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