January 26, 2010

love wrapped in pretty paper

I do not take my Christmas shopping lightly. I try... to choose the perfect gift for each person on my list. Some years it is a silly gift, and other years it is a bring-you-to-tears gift... but no matter what, I really try to choose with love. But, when it comes to my Mom, I never know which kind of gift I have chosen... until she opens it! After her first trip to Africa, I was almost at a loss at what to get her... not sure that she really needed or wanted one more thing. I finally settled on a Partylite candle holder, with an African theme... and I hoped she would smile and like it. Maybe a lot. Never once did I dream she would break down in a pile of tears over it... or push Baby Jesus right out of the stable and replace Him with the candle holder (that being the only safe spot to have a lit candle amidst flying wrapping paper!) I guess loving Africa will do that to someone! But this year... it was she who made me cry. Over a pan.

I love my pots & pans. Belgique! It is so much fun to say! And even after almost 18 years, they look almost new. Several years ago my Mom came across a great sale... and picked up several pots and pans for herself. Including two sizes that I did not have! After admiring them greatly, I hinted at wanting them... since she had more than one of each! Eventually, she did give me the smaller pot, and it made me smile. But what I really wanted was the 3.5 quart pan. And she had two. Oh you can do so much more with a 3.5 quart than a 2! On many occasions I have tried to sneak one out of her house (most recently Thanksgiving!)... but I am not such a great sneaker... the laughter gives me away every time!

It was the last gift I opened at her house on Christmas Eve... and it may just be a piece of kitchen cookware... but it was given with love. I honestly am still surprised, and overcome that she parted with it... because she probably used it more than I will. But oh, I love it. And I love that she loves me... so much that she would give me something of hers that she loves.

A mother's love for her daughter is the gift I
unwrap today... love that came in pretty paper just to make me smile.



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19 comments :

Erin said...

Love gifts that say "I get you." Sounds like your mom is a very sweet person. :)

Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama said...

It is nice to know someone knows you that well..great gift!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful gift!

Sharone said...

To give something that she loved - what a truly precious gift from your mom! I would have cried too. :)

Busy Bee Suz said...

What a wonderful gift...and I know you will think of HER each time you use it!!!!
So sweet.

Corinne Cunningham said...

What a sweet, wonderful gift! :)

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post. I can feel the love between the two of you. I love the pot too.

Ruby Red Slippers said...

How wonderful!!!
And~Thank you!!!! I got my devotional!!! I LOVE it!!!

Heathahlee said...

Those are the BEST gifts!

My mom has a huge Dutch oven that I've told her countless times that I want...I haven't tried to sneak it out of her house...YET. :D

imoomie said...

I am smiling, giggling and sharing in your joy!

Elizabeth @claritychaos said...

You mom sounds lovely. And I want to come over and have you cook me dinner with your fancy pans! :)

I love this little love note about your mom. I love my mom, too.

Amy said...

What an amazing gift. I love it when Christmas is about really thinking about the person we love. Sometimes it is $5.00, sometimes it is $50, but it is the thought that matters. This year my 4 year old gave my husband oreos, my 7 year old painted him a plaque and my 9 year old gave him deodorant. I thought he was going to cry. They put so much thought into those presents and it made Christmas perfect.

dawn said...

thanks a great story, dawn--super sweet. I love it.

Tina said...

thnak you for not having "in my daughter's eyes" playing in the background. xoxox

Janean said...

your mom demonstrated a REAL mother's love --- self-less-ness! great post!!

Tracey said...

The most precious and treasured gifts are often those that have less to do with the object itself than the thought that went into giving it. How sweet of your mom!

Jen said...

Ahhhh!
and you ARE RIGHT, I can't believe I cooked for so long without a3.5!

jenn said...

what a wonderful gift! given with love!

Unknown said...

It is so pretty. Pretty because I can see the love it was given with! I love Moms!

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