The gift of patience

Years ago, in my teens, I sat on the floor in a circle with my friends and we played a truth and dare game. Somehow we ended up playing a question game, that was so mind-provoking.

It was my turn to answer my best friend, who asked, "If you could give me anything what would it be?"
Knowing him all my life, I knew exactly what he needed. I knew him inside out and even better than he knew himself! I could take one look at him and tell u what he's gonna blurt out next.
Of all the materialistic goods in the world, I wanted to give him a gift u can't buy. Can't find. Simply can't pick up coz ur "life" can't "afford" it.
I wanted to give him the gift of appreciation.
S needed it most then. He needed to appreciate what he had, and not look so far ahead in the future and forget about now. I needed him to appreciate the good times we had and stop worrying about the moment of farewell.... I needed him to appreciate. Appreciate life as it is.

To spare us both alot of explaination to do infront of our other friends and also coz I'd rather give him the whole appreciation speech in private, I smiled and said, "I'd give u eternal happiness S"

Everyone looked at me amazed. They thought it was very thoughtful that I gave him "happiness" and not a yacht or a new car. or whatever else money can buy.

But as much as I would've liked to enjoy this glow, of coming up with something no one would've ever thought of.. this unselfish thing... My best freind steals away my thunder and moment of glow.

(Rules of the game: After the question is asked, the person who asked the question has to answer this same question themselves... )

So S, says... " I give u patience" and he doesn't smile back. I didn't see this one coming. Instead, we both stare at each other knowing exactly why he had said so. Exchanging intense questioning looks... I felt hurt. Yet, deep down, I knew he was right.

Today, as I sat recalling that night, I started to think: "but if it was not for my imaptience to see immediate results and getting things done and over with, would I have not been so driven to get what I want? Or would I have still gotten it, someway or another coz fate had it in store for me anyways, (besides having worked for it of course) and that maybe impatience has done nothing for me but given me sleepless nights, unecessary anxiety and not to mention the never-ending caffiene consumption?" Alot of what-if questions began to pop-up here... so u can imagine my distress during my journey of self-reflection!

So really S, I know ur intentions were good and I remember the incidents that had sparked this that particular day, and that u would've given me patience if u could... but is it really a gift?

Can "patience" be a "gift" u'd want, anybody?