Here is the start of a wonderful reflection on how others give of themselves in our favorite fictional series. Please add to the list, and freely comment on how you feel about any of the gifts listed. Which are your favorites, most touching, etc. ?
Also, before I list our answer to this questions, we would also be curious about your opinion. Who gives the greatest gift?
- Bella coming to Forks - this is really the first gift of self in the books, and significant one. Truly selfless of Bella to leave her entire life behind for mother's sake. Didn't she look at is as a sentence to endure until high school was over?
- Charlie bringing Bella back into his home, and more into his life.
- Charlie putting chains on her tires when it snows.
- Edward saving Bella's life again and again.
- Mike Newton still volunteering to be her badminton partner, even after he has witnessed her sports skills, and after Mike realizes Bella "likes" Edward.
- Alice's willing acceptance of Bella and support of Edward.
- Edward sharing his special place, the meadow, with Bella.
- Bella's determined and decided acceptance of Edward, who and what he is.
- Carlisle and Esme unconditionally accepting Bella. Then later becoming more of a family than she has ever had.
- All the great clothes Alice buys for Bella. Prom dress (mmm), graduation outfit, etc.
- Dinner for Bella on prom night, cooked by none other than . . .EDWARD!
- Edward trying to give Bella her human experiences.
- Alice caring for Bella when she had her cast.
- Edward leaving to save her (of course it didn't turn out as a gift at all, but what he did was with 100% love for her and devotion to doing what he thought would make her the happiest, regardless of the cost to himself.
- Jacob's willingness to be a friend to Bella, no strings attached.
- Jacob handing her the pen and paper to leave Charlie a note when she is leaving for Italy.
- Bella going to Italy.
- The Volturi letting them go
- The werewolves being willing to work with the Cullens.
- Carlisle trying to save Bree.
- Bella choosing to marry Edward.
- Edward being willing to change Bella without any conditions
- Bella waiting for her wedding before she has all her hopes come true.
6 comments:
Even though I was the hostess for this meeting, so obviously I shared in the discussion, it was so fun to read through them again! I brought back such GOOD feelings about these books. Sometimes I am a little caught up in the wonderful, extraordinary, dreamy relationship of Bella and Edward, and I forget about all the other incredible relationships throughout the book! This list also makes me ponder (sorry for the serious word) on what kind of intangible gifts I am giving,not only now this time of year, but always. I hope my family and friends could list some! Thanks MA!
Rosalie gives Bella a gift in Eclipse of perspective. She opens up to her and shares her feelings about Bella's decision to change. She offers her some insight, even when this is so hard for her because of her vanity and jealousy.
Wow, another huge gift I just thought of (I think we mentioned this at the meeting, can't remember) is how Edward stays with her all night after Bella has just said goodbye to Jacob. That has to be so painful for him. It is such a selfless act. I'll stop commenting now and let others participate, sorry!
Those are all so awesome. I don't think I can just pick one favorite. I like the 2 you listed above Jill. Especially the one of Edward staying with her all night while she cried about someone else.
I thought of a few others --
Carlisle taking care of Jacob after he gets hurt.
Bella helping Angela with her graduation invitations.
Edward offering to help Mike Newton fix his car.
Bella willing to give her life in Phoenix for her Mom and the others she loves, when she escapes them at the airport.
Edward staying with her for weeks in the hospital.
Just to name a few...
I will someday add some more, but I just have to tease RWV. Edward volunteering to help Mike with his car, I think was purely a distraction tactic. He was trying to avoid talking to Bella about what Alice had seen. Not that he wouldn't have helped him, but I think even Edward knew that would never happen. That is such a funny part of the book!
I definitely think it was a distraction, but I thought it would be funny to add. He still did offer his help, which was a shock, remember Bella and Mike both had their mouths dropped open. It was very funny to read, and Alice just went along with it mentioning maybe Rosalie should just show up. Edward says to them, "just trying to be helpful."
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