The Lens:
The Double Whammy. My husband and I got married at the beginning of May. A few days later is my birthday. Add to that, Mother’s Day, and it is a whirlwind for my husband and sons.
Every few years, my birthday lands on Mother’s Day. That might seem to make things worse for the boys. For me, I miss an extra day of pampering. For the boys, though, they get let off the hook. They still spoil me all day, but two days are all wrapped up into one. You can only cook so many breakfasts.
As for the presents, they make sure both celebrations are acknowledged. It’s not like I put a huge emphasis on the gift giving aspect. As a matter of fact, only a week or two ago, I told them if it gets to the point where you have no idea what to get me, just let it go. No need throwing money away just to make a point.
This came in response to my father-in-law’s birthday. An octogenarian, he is ridiculously tough to buy for. For years, I picked up the torch when it came to gift giving. In the last few years, I have dropped this task in my husband’s lap, where it probably should have been all along.
He and his sister, fret over what to get dad. And, Father’s Day is only a month or so away and they will need to go through all this again. What is the point – honestly?
I’ll give my boys credit, they have gotten creative in the last few years with gifts. They give some usual things like gift cards, but add some really interesting surprises.
One year, they gave me a spin in a Ferrari and Lamborghini at a small racetrack. Last year, they gave me a subscription to Ancestry.com. But, I think this year, they outdid themselves.
I send ecards for all occasions. I especially like the “Mashups” that I can personalize. They took this to a new level.
They found a website where you can get a celebrity to make a personal video greeting. Apparently, you send the info you want on the greeting, then, he/she makes a completely personalized video and sends it to you.
They chose comedian Colin Mochrie, from “Whose Line Is It Anyway.” Trying to put the video into words having Colin address me directly with classic things my family constantly give me a hard time about is not possible without sucking all the fun out of it. I had tears in my eyes laughing as I watched it.
It is now on my laptop and phone to watch anywhere, anytime. How fun is that?!
The Refraction:
Just a little short one. It is both my birthday and Mother’s Day, after all.
First, appreciate what a gift is meant to be. No matter the reason for the gift (to say thank you, acknowledge a milestone, etc.), a gift is meant to bring joy, happiness.
Too often, we think of a gift’s value based on its monetary worth. Nothing could diminish the value of a gift more than valuing it based on how much it cost. I say this not just from the perspective of the giver, but also from that of the receiver.
Second, . . .
Laugh.
Laugh a lot.
Make a point to laugh every day, and as often as you can in that day. It is so good for the soul.