Photo courtesy of Ekaterina Shevchenko @shekatherine
What’s something memorable you’ve gotten for FREE?
Here’s mine… don’t laugh.
For my high school graduation, I received a unique present from family friends — never given to me by anyone else, before or since.
What was it? You ready for this?
Fingernail clippers.
Enter the sad trombone: wah wah wahhhhh.
When I opened the gift, I couldn’t hide my disappointment. Clippers, really? Not quite the dream item for an 18-year-old guy.
But it came in a nice case with my initials on the front, and it contained an assortment of nail products.
Thoughtful. But underwhelming, to say the least.
With a shrug, I placed those clips in my bathroom cabinet. Out of sight, out of mind.
But I’d occasionally use them.
A year passed. Then 5, 10… 25 years.
And I still used them.
That’s right, that once-laughable set of clippers ended up lasting me for almost three decades, through college, grad school, marriage, kids, career.
And every time I'd see that initialed case, I would think of the friends who gave it to me.
I sadly remember the day when the container finally crumbled apart, and those dependable trimmers could barely work anymore.
Yes, there was a moment of silence for one of the greatest, most practical gifts of my lifetime.
Sometimes the things we overlook are the ones that stick around the longest.
So today, in the spirit of freshly manicured nails, I’ve got a gift for you.
And I’m hoping it will serve you for years to come. No sharp edges included, I promise.
Click below for your gift:
About Me
Hey, I’m Brian, co-founder of Genie Jar Digital. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I recently released a young adult novel called The Jungle Within.
