Thursday, January 16, 2020

These Days...




Hello Friends! I miss not being able to check in often, and I want you to know I appreciate those of you who are still dropping by.

I last wrote to you on Christmas Eve. I'm sure you can tell by my post I was so down in the dumps without Wild Bill there with me. 

The next morning I found Bill's jacket, which he'd left hanging on the back of the guest room door the last time we had visited. I put his jacket on, along with the best face I could muster, and tried to be brave while the family opened Christmas presents.

Crafts-type magnifying light

I'm one of those people who doesn't like to receive gifts so usually I just get special ones "made with care" from the little ones who love to give something they've made or picked out. 

Another Crafts-type Magnifying Light


Well, this year that wasn't the case. First thing Christmas morning two of "The Daughters" plopped a big package in my lap and insisted I open it right away! Even before the grandkids got to open theirs...


I tried to put it aside...tried to convince them I just wanted to enjoy the little ones opening their gifts as we do it "one person at a time" and I didn't want to kill their joy...

Surprisingly, my usually understanding Middle Daughter just insisted Grammy needed to open her gift first!

So half-heartedly I opened the darn thing up. And there in my lap was the most inappropriate gift in the world! 

The shock took my breath away. And then...well...tears rolled down my cheeks as I laughed and laughed.

Youngest Daughter laughed with me too -- as she knew exactly how right that totally wrong gift was for me -- while Middle Daughter was unabashedly perplexed!

Middle Daughter had heard me say a while back I wanted to buy a lighted magnifying glass for doing crafts. She's NOT a crafts type person. So she found me what she thought was a perfect pair of magnifying glasses with a light. 


When the two daughters wrapped gifts down in the basement the night before, Middle Daughter showed Youngest Daughter the glasses. Youngest Daughter hinted that the glasses might not be exactly what I was looking for...but Middle Daughter was so sure they were exactly what I wanted and she wrapped them right up!


Friends, they were NOT what I had dreamed of, but they were exactly what I needed! Right then and there it was like Wild Bill was right in the room with us.

You see, they were nothing like what I had in mind, but they were exactly what Wild Bill would've bought for me thinking they were excellent!

Bill had the most awful, futurist wrap-around sunglasses when I first dated him back in 1995. I just could not convince him the 1970's called and wanted their sunglasses back! It took years before he gave them up.

Middle Daughter was so apologetic for getting me what she thought was the wrong gift and wanted to return them right away. I told her not in a million years would I ever give them up! 

And right there on Christmas morning-- a newly-widowed, old grandma sat with her ridiculous magnifying glasses and found the joy of Christmas once again.


Thanks for dropping by!


P.S.  Everyone else wanted to wear them too...even Middle Daughter once she understood I believed it was Grampy (whispering in her ear from the other side) that had led her so far astray. 






25 comments:

  1. Leave it to the kids to make you smile!! It sounds like it was a wonderful gift and fabulous distraction. Thinking of you often...

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  2. Warm Hugs - that was the best Christmas Present and it made you smile.
    Joy

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  3. What a wonderful story, and I am so glad that it made you happy and better able to enjoy the day. I love the pictures with your big smile, and know that Wild Bill was right there with you.

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  4. A great gift is one that makes you smile.

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  5. You know I'm so sorry I missed the post about Wild Bill, I didn't know he died. I'm so so sorry. I loved seeing the photos of him, and I'm sure you miss him every day but the photos of you will your loving family laughing and smiling makes me feel that you are not alone and as you said, life continues. I hope this year brings you joy however hard it will be.

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  6. Love the story and what a great 'gift'.
    It is amazing what little things pop up and bring joy. Sending blessings to you and your family.

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  7. There are no coincidences. Wild Bill was there in spirity.

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  8. So glad to see you surrounded by love at this sad time. Sending you a big strong hug.
    Amalia
    xo

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  9. Rivercrest Cottage,
    This post warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face!
    Thank you for sharing this amazing (gift) day of Christmas with your family!
    Blessings upon you in 2020, dear friend!
    Pat

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  10. The daughters are a blessing and especially the gift! So glad you got a big laugh out of the situation.

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  11. What a wonderful surprise. What would we do without our daughters. xo Laura

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  12. That is the best! I'm so glad you had joy and laughter along with reminders of Wild Bill on Christmas!

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  13. What a sweet story, you've brought tears to my eyes and made me laugh too, and that you wore his big warm coat was the sweetest part. Like someone else sad, what would we do without our daughters.

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  14. I too have tears in my eyes as read this sweet story!! It was wild Bill from the other side making sure you had the joy of Christmas, especially this Christmas!! I am a firm believer in that. I think those glasses are priceless and I believe this will be a Christmas that no one in your family will forget and will remember both with a tear and a chuckle...Hugs to you,
    Debbie

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  15. Sometimes what we think we need is totally different than what we get...so glad you all had a good laugh! Be kind to yourself!

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  16. Sounds like you were surrounded by love. Glad you got a laugh and enjoyment of the wrong perfect gift.

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  17. And that is one of the best Christmas stories I have ever heard. I love it and what a great way to start off your morning. Something none of you will ever forget.

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  18. I love the inappropriate and wrong gift that I know will be long remembered and talked about for a lot of reasons - Especially because of the laughter and love that was shared.

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  19. I did cry as I read this and I wanted to laugh, too! Hugs to you, Laura

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  20. I was wondering how you were doing the other day....Thanks so much for your kind words!! Hugs,
    Debbie

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  21. THE perfect, all-wrong gift--what a beautiful story! Glad you had that to lighten your spirits that day. I'm so glad you're carrying on with the blog, even if not so regularly as you have. Post when you can. We'll be here.

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