Mom's favorite gift is family

Mom said she had a great birthday this year. This is a rare occurrence. We usually do something that she doesn’t like, not on purpose, but it happens more often than not.
When I had asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she handed me an advertisement from 1994 and said, “I want that.” I didn’t think I had a prayer. I was positive that even if the company was still in business, the item in question would certainly be discontinued.
A quick search on the internet turned up a seller who had one, and only one, for sale. I quickly put in my order before they sold it to someone else.
Then, just for kicks, I searched for a match to a bathroom faucet we had purchased a month or so ago. I wasn’t so lucky that time.
The order came a few days later and was exactly as described.
I added a couple of craft items to the  package and wrapped it all up in colorful paper.
Then I had an idea that I hoped would make her special occasion even better. I called my cousin, Tim. A couple of years ago he and his wife had been the extra birthday present. We had not seen them in years and years. When they came up the sidewalk, Mom didn’t recognize them and told me not to let them in. She was glad I didn’t listen to her and we had a nice visit.
This year, I called Tim and invited him and his wife again. I also asked if he thought our other cousin, Kim, would like to stop by. The three of us had practically grown up together but had lost contact years ago. The last time we had seen Kim was at the family reunion. I had kept my distance from her because of a rift between my mom and her dad. But now that her dad was dead, I thought it might be safe to reconnect. Just in case I was wrong, I asked Tim if he would call her.
He did, and after several calls back and forth she agreed to meet us at Mom’s house. Mom wanted pie instead of cake this year so I picked up an apple pie and a mint chocolate chip pie in case there wasn’t enough of the first one to go around.
Tim and his wife arrived at Mom’s shortly after I did.
Kim and her boyfriend were next. They brought watermelon.
Then my brothers stopped by after they got off of work. Most of Mom’s presents involved crafts of some kind or flowers and she was pleased.
We talked, ate watermelon, and talked some more. It was the first time in decades that all of us had been together as a family except for the reunion. Only our cousin in Louisiana was missing. It has been thirty or forty years since we have seen him. Maybe one day he will join us.
We shared photographs and memories. Mom smiled more than she had in a long time. She joined in the conversation. We took lots of pictures that still aren’t back from being developed. (Yes, I still use film!)
Even though Mom enjoyed her presents, the company is what made the day special.
Having her remaining relatives around her is what she really wanted. Listening to us reminisce about being on the farm brought back happier days; days when she was young and strong, not old and weak. The walk down memory lane was enjoyed far more than the pie, presents or watermelon. Being surrounded by people who love her made her feel like the precious lady she is.
We all want and need to feel loved. We all need to feel as if we matter to someone. As we get older, the actual gifts that we receive are far less important than the care that is conveyed in those gaily wrapped packages.
Being surrounded by family was the best present we could have given her.
I’m glad we all chose to spend the day together.[[In-content Ad]]