quote:

Originally posted by Jim Manion:
When I was 13, my Dad made sure a Remington BDL in 30-06 found its way under the tree. It was damn sure the finest firearm ever of steel and wood. Could not keep my eyes off of it, and couldn’t wait to shoot her.

My Dad was just as excited as I was. He was beaming!

On or way to the range, Dad did not bring his prized Colt Frontier Scout in .22 caliber. That pistol had made every trip to the range since I started shooting a pistol, and was given an almost altar-like place in the home. Always handled as if it was a delicate and priceless Faberge egg. I didn’t think much of it at the time, Hell, we had a REAL deer rifle now.

A couple of years later, Mom slipped up and spilled the beans. My Remington BDL only made its way under the tree when Dad gave up his prized possession in a trade for the BDL. Dad never said a word.

That sacrifice never left my memory. Flash forward 35 years. Times a little tough, and short on cash. Still, I chanced upon a like new 1962 Colt Frontier Scout, in .22 LR, with those memorable stag horn grips. And the price was right. I was living about 1500 miles away at that time in another City, and travel was out of the question. Still, I lucked into a last minute airline ticket to my folks hometown.

So, unannounced, unexpected and uninvited, I headed off to the folks house on a late Christmas eve flight. Pulled up in front of the house and could see that my parents were still up but winding down. I knocked and walked through the door. They were shocked and very glad to see me. It had been a few years.

After we caught up on things, I handed Dad a roughly wrapped present. I watched intently as my hero of now 70 years slowly unwrapped the box under his now bespectled gaze. It took him a few seconds to focus – the last thing he ever expected. There were no words as he removed the Colt from the box, beaming with eyes that were now a little watery. His prize had made its return, after 35 year detour.

The best gift I ever received was seeing my Dad’s face when he held that Colt. After 35 years, I was finally able to understand how my Dad felt on that Christmas morning of my 13th year. Probably the best gift given, but by far the best I ever received.

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:
Staying within the confines of this thread, I still haven't gotten that "Best gift ever" as nobody has ever given me a 28 day all expenses paid safari to Tanzania!

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Sorry to be so predictable, but it was a little baby, in a stable in Bethlehem, about 2,000 years ago. he became a carpenter by trade. Nothing else really matters, not even SCI vs. DSC!

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
My mom was given a clean bill of health after surviving breast cancer the day before Christmas eve 1974. I was 13 years old . I have been given some great presents since, but I found out the real meaning of the word "GIFT" on that day.
Mom has been gone for five years now, but we had many more years of a really great woman when she won that fight and gave our family the greatest Christmas ever.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Sorry to be so predictable, but it was a little baby, in a stable in Bethlehem, about 2,000 years ago. he became a carpenter by trade. Nothing else really matters, not even SCI vs. DSC!

Bill,

There is no greater gift than grace and a chance at eternal life.

I should have titled this thread - "Second best gift ever given"

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
The best gift for me was one I was able to give, or more accurately, to return.

My Father died when I was just a baby and years later a friend of the family taught me to shoot and took me hunting etc and gave me a lot of hunting experience I wouldn't otherwise have had.

Years later, this friend suffered heart problems and had to have a heart transplant and after that, he was pretty buggered up. So I taught his son to shoot, took him hunting and gave him his early hunting experience.

I'll never forget the Christmas when the boy was 12 or 13 and deperately wanted a leather cartridge belt and a few other shooting odds and sods such as shell decoys etc. I bought him everything on his hunting wishlist and packed it all into a saucepan set cardboard box and then wrapped it.

I took the prezzy over on Christmas morning and his face fell when he saw a big box labelled saucepans........ but absolutely lit up when he saw the contents.

I've never forgotten the smile on that lad's face on that Christmas morning. He's just turned 40 and now has kids of his own but we're still in touch and he still talks about that morning.

....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1
DRSS Charter member
"If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982

Hands of Old Elmer Keith