I was rummaging for Christmas wrapping papers when i saw it, rolled up and tucked away at the bottom of the box. The fragile paper... that once wrapped the flowers he gave me.... and the ribbons, that held it all in place. I had forgotten about those and seeing it again tugged my heart in a sad way.
I remember that night when he brought me those. He said he knew i was troubled about something but he didn't want to push me to tell until i was ready. He said that my smile reminded him of sunflowers and he had hoped that by giving me those, he would make me feel the same way i made him feel whenever he saw me.
I remember being so upset when someone accidentally threw away those precious flowers a few days later. And how he assured me that there will be plenty more to come... and while he's with me, i will never have any reason to frown.
It's been 3 Christmases since he made that promise and many more to me. A part of me died when he left without a word. And died a thousand times over for every call he didn't answer. I died again a few months ago when i heard he had gotten married.
As i look at the paper and ribbons, i realized it is only precious because i held a memory to it. Of a moment that made me happy... that made me feel loved. But that moment has passed and there's no reason to hold on to it anymore.
Now, it's time the paper and ribbon create new memories. So to the one who receives it, please don't see it as me, using recycled paper, but may the gift inside bring you as much joy as it once held for me.