It was my 22nd birthday.
I had just given birth to our 2nd daughter
1 month earlier.
He went shopping for my birthday present.
I had visions of jewels and lacy things.....
I couldn't wait to see what he would buy me!
Afterall, I just gave him another daughter.
When he came home with the gift he seemed so proud.
He said he knew I was going to be happy!
With nervous fingers I opened the present....
greedily clawing the wrapping paper off
to reveal the symbol of his love for me.
The breath caught in my throat as I choked back my tears.
Inside the bag I found the symbol of our love....
5 boxes of snack cakes and a hot-pink sweat-suit!
I tried to pretend I wasn't offended
but he knew me too well.
For years I used this birthday as leverage against him.
I viewed it as an insult that he would think so little of me
as to buy me a ''gift fit for a pig''.
Last night, something hit me like a ton of bricks...
he bought me the cakes because he knew I liked them
and the sweat-suit because he wanted me to be comfortable.
(and it was pink because that's my favorite color)
He did think about the gift.
He was also showing me that he wasn't concerned
what size I was
or what size I would become.
He was telling me that he loved me...unconditionally.
I didn't see what that gift really was
and I didn't appreciate it until last night.
I thanked him for the cakes and the sweat-suit this morning...
13 years late.
He understood.
YOU ARE LUCKY TO HAVE A HUSBAND WHO LOVES YOU UNCONDITIONALLY. I LOVE YOUR POEM.
That is such a touching piece Mary. And I bet everyone reading it does a little mental audit of all the gifts they've ever received and been a bit touchy about. Neat work.
You don't pull your punches do you Mary - even the self-inflicted ones!
The title grabbed my attention. The body soft soaped my soul with love. Thanks.
Thanks Mary! I'm not a crying kind of guy, but right now I have tears so thick I can hardly see the key board. I can't explain it. I just guess it takes women some time, but some finaly get it. Alaska
Mary, This is just marvelous, I loved every word. It made me go back and think about all of the gifts my husband ever gave me (and trust me- there have been some doozies) . It took me a long time to learn how (ok I'll say it-how GUYS!) think, many guys anyway. You got it exactly right; I am sure you made his day when you went back and thanked him. This is the kind of stuff that keeps marriages going. Good for you! Blessings- TGR (Theresa) - proud owner of a cushioned toilet seat (for my first mother's day-gotta love him-lol!)
Dear Mary I enjoyed this very much.How easily misconstrude things can be. We've all done it.What an honest reminder of ourselves. Thankyou Love Duncan
Seriously, I'm lucky if I even get a phone call from the current boy, I emphasize boy, I might be seeing at the time. It's wonderful that you realized the real meaning behind his actions. A lovely piece.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
I think it is wonderful you finally realized that and that you did thank him. You truly are very lucky to have such a caring husband. The fact he even remembered it would have been enough for me, lol. Hugs, Rita