Snow Melt

The Best Birthday Present in the World

The September 2, 2013 prompt for "Blogging Circle of Friends Prompt Forum"  is
Tell us about the best birthday present you've ever received!

When I was a child, I thought the best birthday present I ever received was a doll. I am not sure on which birthday I received the doll, but I do remember how beautiful she was. I do not remember what the package said about the doll or what company produced her. I remember that she was about the size of a two or three year old (at least that's the size I remember) because she was almost as tall as my sister at the time Grandma and Mama gave her to me. I called her Suzie because that was one of the names I liked.

The doll,
so tall and beautiful,
that I remember to this day
wore a red and white dress.

At the age of 66, going on 67, I realize that the best birthday presents I received from my mother, grandmother, grandfather, or father was their presence at my birthdays. Now that they are no longer in my life, I find that the memories I find most joyful and comfortable are those with one or all of them in attendance at my birthday party. I wish I could attend one more party with them present so that I could tell them how much their company meant to me. The memories of their presence at my parties overshadow all the toys, cloths, etc. I received from them or anyone else.

They are gone
the most important people
of my childhood
have passed
beyond the curtain of matter
and stepped into the garden of God.

Thought of the Day: "Presents don't really mean much to me. I don't want to sound mawkish, but - it was the realization that I have a great many people in my life who really love me, and who I really love." - Gabriel Byrne