Screenshot
The Gift of the Marzipan Magi
Our friend John’s parents, like my husband Danny’s, fled Europe in the late 1930s as the Nazi horror was unfolding. John’s folks went first to Shanghai, and then on to the States, where a few months later John was born. (“I was made in China.” he’ll tell you.)
During that same torturous time Danny’s parents sailed to South America and settled in Bolivia where Danny was born, before they too immigrated to the States.
Both families adjusted to their new American lives, and sent their sons to the local schools. But of course at home they kept many of their European tastes and sensibilities, and John and Danny had each been imbued with an appreciation for fine chocolate, rich pastry, and all things confectionary.
One day we were driving past a favorite candy shop when Danny stopped the car, went in, and soon came out with two boxes. “I bought some marzipan for us and some for John too, I know he loves it.” Danny said.
From the car I called John intending to say we had something for him and would drop by. His wife Midge answered, said John was out, but he’d come over to our house later as by chance he had something for Danny.
An hour later our doorbell rang. There was John, and under his arm – a box of marzipan.
– Dana Susan Lehrman
Dana Susan LehrmanThis retired librarian loves big city bustle and cozy country weekends, friends and family, good books and theatre, movies and jazz, travel, tennis, Yankee baseball, and writing about life as she sees it on her blog World Thru Brown Eyes!
www.WorldThruBrownEyes.com
This was fun! And a bit like the Gift of the Magi by O/Henry–another tale for the holiday season.
Thanx Dale, happy holidays!
Indeed, O. Henry came to my mind too. What a great story! Out of a tumultuous past, mutual giving and support and thinking of others. Wonderful.
Thanx Khati.
John and Danny did indeed bond over their shared experience of growing up in a transplanted European household.
Great story, Dana! It makes me want to run out and get some marzipan. I assume, given your title, that you had the O. Henry story in mind all along, and didn’t need Dale or Khati to remind you of it.
Thanx Suzy, and yes of course when John arrived at our doorstep with HIS gift I thought of O. Henry!
Loved this, Dana! That O. Henry story was one of my favorites as a kid.
Thanx Laurie!