Yesterday I received what can best be described as a priceless gift. The phrase came to mind so immediately I sought the services of Artificial Intelligence to discover its meaning. This was the intelligent answer.
Receiving a priceless gift carries a deep and meaningful connotation. It can imply several things;
Key meanings of a priceless gift:
- Invaluable nature: A priceless gift is something that cannot be assigned a monetary value. It signifies that the gift holds extraordinary significance, whether emotional, sentimental, or experiential, making it far more valuable than any material possession.
- Deep affection and Love. Such a gift often reflects profound love, affection, or appreciation from the giver. It may represent a strong bond between the giver and the recipient, highlighting the thoughtfulness and care that went into selecting and creating the gift.
- Memorable Experiences: In many cases, priceless gifts are experiences rather than tangible objects. This could include meaningful moments like a family vacation, a heartfelt letter, or quantity time spent with loved ones. These experiences create lasting memories that are cherished over time.
- Symbolic Meaning: A priceless gift can also have symbolic significance, representing something much larger or meaningful —friendship, loyalty, cultural heritage or personal growth. It often conveys messages that resonate on a spiritual or emotional level.
- Generosity: The act of giving a priceless gift reflects generosity and selflessness on the part of the giver, emphasizing that the worth of the gift transcends material wealth
Artificial Intelligence gave examples of priceless gifts.
- Family heirlooms. Items passed down through generations that hold family history and stories.
- Handwritten letters or note: Personal messages expressing love, gratitude or cherished memories that can be treasured for a lifetime.
- Experiences. Activities like a surprise family reunion or a day spent with a lived one, creating lasting memories togethers
- Acts of Kindness. Helping someone in a time of need or support can be seen s a priceless gift, signifying commitment to the relationship.
The conclusion summed it all up: Overall, a priceless gift signifies the richness found in relationships, experiences, and emotional connections. It reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful gifts in life cannot be bought, but instead are felt and experienced, resonating deeply within our hearts and minds.
What was this priceless gift? And why did it carry such extraordinary significance? The answer shall soon be yours.
The gift was a watch. Its pricelessness did not come from its cost. I have had more expensive watches in my time – once a Rolex. It was a used Rolex but it nonetheless a Rolex.
The generosity and selflessness can be described using old fashioned definitions.
Applicable synonyms for the generosity shown are generosity kindliness, benevolence, big-heartedness, goodness.
Selflessness is defined as concern more with the needs and wishes of others than with one’s own.
Mohan in the past has helped me with so many other things to ease my transition Penang. Finding me Driver Din, helping me get cash, raising Shamir who is a valuable son and part time Personal Assistant, originally arranging a Lyf special rate, introducing me to his baby sister. These are only a few of the many.
We shall now return to the story of the watch. How this all came about is rather amusing actually. I returned from Jakarta, going to live at Lyf. Mohan wanted to have dinner at our favorite Japanese Restaurant but I told him I had plans that evening. I had met Joy, a really interesting woman at Mojo Pojo and we were to have dinner on Wednesday. Went to the restaurant, she was a no-show, I thought. A tactful waiter told me it was Tuesday not Wednesday. ‘Hat in hand’ went to the Kashmir to hunt up Mohan, telling him I was free. Found him. He proudly showed me his new watch – he lost (but then found) a watch when we went through KL security on a recent trip. His new watch was a classic, a Cartier tank watch. One I had been coveting for at least ten years. “Why?” you may ask. You are about to get an answer.
I loved London, went on a theatre group tour for about six years but wanted to spend more time there. So I applied to a Creative Non Fiction graduate program, got accepted, was able to live in London for two and a half years. My book project became a biography of my Uncle Dave Dryburgh, a sports writer for the Regina Leader Post. He drowned in 1948. I do not think I ever met him. Learning about his life, reading his writing led me to totally fall in love with the man. It is a peril for biographers I was later to learn. There is a photo of him which was to grace the cover of the book. He is hard at work, typing on an archaic typewriter. He is immaculately dressed, on his left arm was a vintage Cartier watch. I wanted to emulate him in every way, having a vintage Cartier watch was one way. But somehow it never came to pass. Not sure why. I remember finding a vintage watch store in Edmonton but it just never came to fruition.
I told Mohan the story, recalling with emotion my attachment to Uncle Dave. We had a jolly sushi dinner at our Japanese restaurant accompanied by a friend of Mohan’s
The very next morning at 9:47 a photo appeared.
He: Your watch
Me: I love it! I love it!. Love you. You have NO idea what this means to me. It is a dream come true.
Went for breakfast at Mojo Pojo. Sent him a photo of his very favorite scrambled eggs.
Me: My breakfast. Yummy. Your favorite, being eaten by your favorite. Hahaha
About half an hour later he walked in the door, putting the watch on my arm. I will treasure it forever and ever and ever.
Later sent him a photo of me and Shamir. I was, of course, wearing the watch.
Is receiving the watch significant, important, meaningful, momentous? Perhaps, for this reason. The biography, probably about three quarters of the way written, speaks of my evolving relationship with a man who has no living relatives, no one alive that knew or worked with him. His writing is obtainable but there very few personal anecdotes or stories. The humanity, the reader’s involvement with this man must come from stories of my evolving relationship with him. The plan is to start somewhere, at a point in time, and go backwards to the inception of the book project.
Ten years after its inception the beginning chapter will tell of Alexis Dryburgh McBride an 82 Muslim revert blessed with a priceless gift by a 74 year old Malaysian born Restaurateur of Indian origin, with 13 siblings (some living, some dead). Sounds unlikely – but truth is stranger than fiction. Did a blog search to find Truth Stranger Than Fiction appearing twenty times.
This a recent summary of the topic.
‘Typed truth is stranger than fiction into the search engine of this blog. Found one from 2019. Extra, Extra Read All About It: A Sultan Here at This Hotel; What A Difference A Blog Makes; Truth is Stranger Than Fiction; , Esoteric and Repercussion Defined.Another more recent one, December 28, 2024.
First of All Good News For the Goat Mentioned in the Blog of December 26, 2024; Learned of His Safety by Reading Wikipedia’s Eid al-Adha in Nigeria; Details Provided; Truth is Stranger Than Fiction Leads to Discovery of a November 5, 2019 Blog Yielding Many Surprises; Photos of Me Kissing a Camel a Reel of Rare Camels and Photos of Double Humped Chinese Camels
This from my the 2019 blog:
There is that saying: Truth is stranger than fiction, a Mark Twain quote, is most apt for my life.“1) Why shouldn’t truth be stranger than fiction? Fiction, after all, has to make sense. 2) It’s no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction must be credible. 3) Truth is stranger than fiction. It has to be! Fiction has to be possible and truth doesn’t! 4) The difference between reality and fiction? Fiction has to make sense.”
I concluded the writing I went hunting for the photo of Uncle Dave. Poignantly I found a clipping from a yellowed newspaper. The front page headline Sports Editor Lake Victim. Dave Dryburgh drowned. The story begins: Dave Dryburgh, one of Canada’s best known sports writers who loved the things he wrote about was drowned Sunday in a boating accident at B-Say-Tah Point near Fort Qu”Appellee.
Dryburgh, 38 years of age was sports editor of the Regina Leader Post for some 18 years was spending the day……
Thundershowers were forecast that day, the paper cost 5 cents.
Sent the email to Chris for posting and to Shamir with this note.
Me: Sent you an email of my Uncle wearing the watch. Please show it to your Dad. So eerie I found it.
Photographs will include the priceless gift on my arm and off. Then the yellowed Regina Leader Post front page announcement of Uncle Dave’s drowning featuring a photograph of him wearing the Cartier watch.
