Jody was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in October 1987 just three months after we had met. The initial impact was severe and he was unable to continue working. With Christmas approaching, Jody wanted to give me a special gift. However, he had very little money to do so. It didn’t matter to me. Having him in my life was gift enough for me.

A few days before Christmas, Jody took out an old, battered envelope, and handed it to me. “Before you open it,” he said, “I want to explain.” He told me the envelope contained something he had treasured and had intended for what he called his first “real” home. With tears in his eyes, he said, “I can’t buy you a gift, but I want you to have this.”

I gently slid the contents from the envelope. There were four Art Deco prints of covers from Vanity Fair magazine dating between 1916 and 1921. The prints were stunning in their simplicity, but, more so, was the faith Jody showed in entrusting them to me.

We shed a few tears and hugs before I slid the prints back into their envelope. I told Jody to keep them safe until we found a place of our own. We finally moved in together in early 1990. The first pictures we hung were those four prints. They still adorn the living room wall and constantly remind me of the greatest Christmas gift. And, of course, I look at them, and say “Merry Christmas, Jody.”