THE GIFT

Once upon a time, there was an old man who would take a long bus ride every day to feed the birds in the park. Mr. Wilson was about 85 years old, his beloved wife Lisa passed away 10 years ago. His only son Thomas, who loves him dearly unfortunately lives in another state. Many years would pass, feeling somewhat alone in his big old house, missing his beloved wife Lisa. Poor Mr. Wilson's memory was failing over the last several years, so he would write in his little black notebook all the beautiful memories of life with Lisa. Mr. Wilson always kept his black notebook in his front jacket pocket next to his heart. When he was at home the little black notebook would be right next to his wife's picture on the bed stand.

Every day Mr. Wilson would wake up at 8 am sharp, make up his bed, brush his teeth, wash his face and comb his hair. Mr. Wilson would get dressed and get a small glass of orange juice with a big bowl of cereal with a small cup of milk just enough to cover the cereal. Mr. Wilson would finish his breakfast and grab his old wooden cane, pick up a medium size bag of birdseed. For lunch, he made a sandwich the night before, with four cut pieces of apples. He made sure he didn't forget his little black notebook as well. Mr. Wilson would walk to the nearby bus stop, not too far away from his home. Once on the bus, Mr. Wilson would look out the window and view all the sights on the bus route. Finally, in about an hour they stop at his favorite park. He steps off the bus, walks very slowly with his wooden cane all the way to his favorite park bench.

Mr. Wilson sits there all alone, doing nothing at first. He slowly takes out his little black notebook and begins to write. On this day Mr. Wilson feels kind of sad and very lonely, he knew in two weeks he would have celebrated his 65th wedding anniversary. He looks up at the sky for a few minutes, then proceeds to write in his little black notebook for hours. On this day, he does not take out the birdseed he bought from home. But he does pull out the sandwich made from the night before. Mr. Wilson eats his sandwich, and apple cut in four-pieces. Mr. Wilson never takes out the birdseed, for the first time in many years he didn't feed the birds. He gets up and looks around and realizes the park is empty. He proceeds to walk to the nearest bus stop, walking very slowly with his wooden cane.  He catches the bus and takes the long ride back home. An hour later Mr. Wilson finally makes it home safe and sound. It's getting late and it's time for dinner. Mr. Wilson makes his dinner and sits in his favorite reclining chair and falls asleep. He wakes up and realizes it's the next day. Dazed and confused Mr. Wilson takes off his clothes and takes a cold shower to wake up. He gathers his clothes for the day and makes his usual cereal and milk for breakfast with a small glass of orange juice. He makes a nice big sandwich for lunch and cuts his apple into four-pieces for later. Mr. Wilson gathers all his items including the birdseed still in the bag. He looks around and can't seem to remember where he put his little black notebook. He looks in all his pockets and checks the closets and drawers and on top of his desk.

Nothing, now Mr. Wilson starts to panic, and gets his cane, and heads to the nearest bus stop. He catches the bus and sits by the door to speak with the bus driver. He politely asked the driver if anyone found a little black notebook. The driver said not today, but you can call the lost and found to see if anyone has found your notebook. Mr. Wilson slumps down in his seat waiting for his stop. Finally, an hour later Mr. Wilson's bus stop comes up and with his old wooden cane, he hops up and makes a beeline to his favorite park bench. He walks as fast as he could to the bench searching on the ground and the nearby surrounding areas. Nothing, all his beautiful memories all gone just like that. Mr. Wilson is heartbroken, feeling sad he takes a seat on the bench and just sits there for hours end. The sun slowly sets on the west side of the park, and he realizes he needs to catch the last bus to get home. Slowly he gets up and makes it just in time to catch the last bus. On this day the bus ride seemed to last for hours, as Mr. Wilson tries to hold back his tears his bus stop finally arrives. Mr. Wilson gets off the bus walking slower than ever makes it home. It's getting late, he prepares his dinner and gets ready for bed. The morning comes and Mr. Wilson stays in the bed most of the day. He gets up to use the bathroom but gets back in the bed. The whole day Mr. Wilson sleeps until the night. He finally gets up and prepares his dinner, then gets back in bed and sleeps until the next morning. Many days have passed and Mr. Wilson still sleeps all day, and only getting out of bed to use the bathroom and eat dinner. Mr. Wilson's son Thomas comes to visit for a few days, he explains to his son he lost his little black notebook with all his life memories all written down. Mr. Wilson gets worst, and his son admits his father to the hospital. Mr. Wilson's heart is failing and was told by the doctors his father doesn't have long to live. Mr. Wilson tells his son he doesn't want to die in the hospital, but at home in his bed. I want to be surrounded by my personal things close to your mother in spirit. So the doctors release Mr. Wilson to his son, so he could spend his last days at home. On the very eve of his wedding anniversary to the day, there is a knock on the door. Mr. Wilson's son answers the door. Standing there is a young boy about 12 years old, he asks if there was a Mr. Wilson who lives here. The son replies yes he does, but he is very ill and resting in his bed. The boy says to the son, can you tell him I found his little black notebook stuck between the park bench. The son's eyes fill up with joy and ask the boy to come in.  Mr. Wilson is sleeping, as the boy stands there staring at Mr. Wilson. The son politely wakes up his father and tells him a young boy found his little black notebook. Mr. Wilson's eyes begin to open wide and slowly making a beautiful smile. The young boy walks over to Mr. Wilson and the young boy gently puts the black notebook in his hand. The room was glowing with the biggest smile from Mr. Wilson.

The son asks the young boy, how did you know where to find my father. The boy replies, I would have been here sooner, but I couldn't stop reading the story about all the adventures around the world, it took me weeks to finally read the notebook. Finally, just late last night way past my bedtime, on the very last page on the back cover, it said. "Please if you find this book please return to George Wilson at this address." Mr. Wilson sits up straight and asks his son to get his checkbook in his desk draw. I want to give you something young man. What is your father's name or mother's name? The boy replies, it's just me and my mom, my dad died a few years ago. He was killed in a car accident. Mom said he was on the way home with my birthday cake for my birthday that day. Mr. Wilson looks at the boy with sad eyes. The boy takes a deep breath and replies, Mary Steinberg, my mother's name is Mary Steinberg. He writes out a check to Mary Steinberg for $20,000 dollars with a note saying please accept this gift from an old dying man. Your son returned my priceless black notebook back to me.  Mr. Wilson says to the young boy, this little black notebook was all I had in this world. I keep this notebook to remind me of my wife Lisa, my memory is failing but this book kept my memories alive. Please take this envelope and give this to your mother and tell her it's from Mr. Wilson, my son will make sure there is no problem at the bank. This is my gift to you for bringing my notebook to me. The little boy says for real Mr. Wilson. Yes! this is my thank you for bringing my notebook back to me. Thank you, Mr. Wilson, no thank you. After all the goodbyes are said the little boy thanks, Mr. Wilson, one last time then walks out of the house. The son prepares for the night, he falls asleep in a nearby chair watching over his father. The next morning Mr. Wilson is lying in bed holding on to his little black notebook. His son wakes up and sees his dad for the last time, his father's smile is still on his face. Thomas realizes his father passed away in his sleep while holding his little black notebook. Goodbye Dad, I'll miss you.

THE END