A Christmas Gift

It’s Christmas time!

Many of my students have thankfully really taken a liking to me, and I’ve received a good deal of Christmas gifts from my students again this year. I love getting stuff; it’s awesome. Most of it is the usual candy-ish type stuff, but one of my guys gave me a set of Marlboro brand coffee mugs. Unfortunately, I do smoke and many of my students know that I smoke, and they’re good about laying low about it, so it makes for some happy/wistful moment like this one. I’ve transcribed the note he wrote me:




To: Mr. Jones
From: -------

This is a little gift to show you my appreciation to you. I believe I’ve seen you drink coffee in the morning, and you always smell like smoke after lunch. Even though they say “Marlboro,” I’m not promoting it, I just wanted to get you a gift you’d appreciate that lets you know I love you (Man-Love)(Football Love)(Tough-Guy Love). Have a merry Christmas!

P.S. I can’t fold gifts.




I really hate the fact that I’ll be remembered as a smoker, though I know it will only be a small part of my legacy. But this is a very touching note and gift, and I’m sure I’ll always remember the story happily in some way even if my feelings are ultimately mixed about it.