My birthday is coming up, and because I have Hadley on Monday mornings before school, her mom apparently gave her a little assignment. She told her that if she did not want to buy me twelve more candles, she should probably ask Grandma for some birthday ideas. That made me laugh before Hadley even got around to asking.
The truth is, I really do not need more stuff. I told Hadley that spending time with her is already more than enough, but I also knew that probably was not going to satisfy a child who wanted to actually give Grandma something. So I started thinking about the things I would really use.
Maybe a bag or two of river rocks for the patio. Maybe some cracked corn for the geese, Walmart bird food for all of the flying visitors, or one of the woodpecker logs they seem to love. They are all things that would make me happy, but they are also things that would immediately be shared with someone else.
Hadley was completely on board with the idea of feeding everybody.
She was considerably more concerned that I had not mentioned cake.
Apparently there are limits to how unconventional Grandma is allowed to make her own birthday. Feeding the geese is acceptable. Buying rocks is apparently acceptable. Skipping the birthday cake is not.
So I told her I would pick one up.
And maybe, sometime during our Monday morning together, we can sit beside it long enough to take a quick picture of the two of us. No elaborate presents, no pile of things I have to find somewhere to put, and apparently no need for twelve additional candles.
Just Hadley, Grandma, a birthday cake, and maybe another photograph that someday reminds us that we were here together.
Honestly, that would be the best present.
Leave a Reply