Special Birthday Gifts

We all love our Mom. Today is her 75th birthday. Finding special birthday gifts at her age seems difficult. Though my sisters and I have decided to organize a party in her honor and invite friends and relatives to commemorate the day, in our heart we are looking for an appropriate birthday gift for her that she is likely to value.

One of my sisters is very practical in her approach. But even she has lost hope. “No,” she lamented over the phone, “I couldn’t come out with any gift idea that could be of any use.” As a matter of fact, mom now lives in very small apartment for senior citizens where her basic necessities are well looked after. Previously she was quite fond of gardening but in her present surroundings, there is hardly any scope. Therefore, gifts relating to gardening and landscaping will have no value to her. Earlier, when she was deeply attached to this pastime, we had piled her with all sorts of gardening tools and appliances that she greatly admired but today, none would come to any use. She was also fond of baking cakes and pastries and gifts like ovenproof dishes, skewers, roasting pans were heaped on her on most birthdays. But alas, now cooked meal is provided to her everyday at the communal dining room. So, all kitchen gifts are out.

But revelation came from an unexpected corner. My older sister suddenly remembered that mom loved embroidering dishtowels. “Why not focus on that”, we all chorused. She was ready to visit the local craft store to see for herself the embroidery gift items that the store could offer. “I shall look for colorful dishtowels that mom could embroider and give out as gifts to her grand children”, she muttered.

Meanwhile, my younger sister and I were not sitting idle. We decided to go shopping to find out if any special surprise gift could be gathered for mom. But the department stores proved thoroughly disappointing as they stocked only the stereotyped mundane gifts that neither appealed to me nor to my sister. Disheartened, we headed home and stopped at a bookstore to pick up a copy of the newly published book that created a craze. Strolling leisurely through the store, I came to the section devoted to books meant for gifts.

The segment proffered religious books, books of verses and curiously enough, included morocco bound books that looked like personal diaries. Being inquisitive, I picked up one and found the insides blank. A short note from the publishers gave the clue. These were meant for persons to write their own life stories in their own hand. An innovative idea, we both agreed.

Further search revealed that each copy had different topics printed on them. I purchased one that had the inscription printed in beautiful floral type reading “Mom Tell me About…”. The inside of the book looked like a Daily Planner, each page depicting a day in the month with a question printed at the top, the rest being blank lines to be filled in by the person keeping the chronicle. The questions were deigned to permit the person to put down fragments of life story, which in any case, could be more dramatic and action packed than any printed fiction.

A splendid set of pens in all the hue of rainbow was displayed alongside. Coming out of the bookshop with the wonder book and the multicolor pen set wrapped in a simple but suave package, we knew that at last we have been able to hit upon a gift that will immensely please mom.