Category: Stories

As it was getting near his birthday one particular year, I asked Luke what he wanted for his birthday. He said all he wanted was a Nintendo 3DS. I told him I wasn’t sure if I could make that happen or not, but I would see what I could do.

So, as a couple of months passed, I found a really good deal on a Nintendo 3DS. I don’t recall where I found it or even how much of a discount I was able to get on it, but I got it. All the while, I kept telling Luke I wasn’t sure or that I didn’t know or any number of other things to keep it secret from him.

I had decided I would give it to him a little bit early so if he received some money for his birthday, he could use it towards a case or another game for the system, if he that was what he wanted to do. So, a couple days before his birthday, I wrapped it and called for him to come to the living room.

He came to the living room and, in true Luke style, was still in his pajamas. I sat down and told him I hadn’t been able to find a “really good deal” on the Nintendo 3DS but I hoped he liked his gift anyway. He seemed disappointed and was almost in tears. He took the gift and started to walk away. I called him back to me and took the gift back from him.

We had a long talk about being appreciative of any gift he received, even if it wasn’t what he really wanted. We also talked about how expensive things can be sometimes and, when someone takes time to think about you and choose a gift for you, we really need to appreciate the thought and love behind the gift.

After talking a while, we sat and I’m sure we shared hugs and I encouraged him to go ahead an open his gift. So, he did.

Now, I’m just going to say that if you’ve ever seen one of those cartoons where the character gets what I call “slap happy” and is slapping their face trying to make sure that what they are seeing is real… Well, that was Luke! He opened the gift and found the Nintendo 3DS. He was so excited and surprised, he literally was “slap happy.” He was ecstatic!

This is a memory I hope I’ll never forget. I hope to be able to remember this someday when he and I can look back on it and remember a time of love and happiness.

I know this is a short story but hopefully one that will make you smile.

I’ll always love that Luke of mine.

Take care!

Rebecca

A long time ago, when John was little, we went to a church in the town where we lived. John went to children’s church and Sunday school class while I was in adult church and adult Sunday school. One day, we were on our way to daycare and work and we were talking about how foggy it was outside. There was fog everywhere but it wasn’t so dense you couldn’t see through it, so driving conditions were decent that morning.

We talked about how clouds were large collections of moisture high above the earth and fog was large collections of moisture on the ground… sort of like clouds. As we were talking, John mentioned that he had learned in Sunday school that Moses went up on the mountain to talk to God, and that God came to Moses in a cloud. Then John said, “Mama, do you think God is in the clouds around us?”

Oh, my heart melted because he was so thoughtful about what he asked. I thought for a moment or two and replied, “Yes, John, I believe that God is in those clouds and that He is all around us.” He seemed satisfied with that and was quiet for a while.

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make such sweet, sweet memories. It is memories like this I hope I’ll never forget and I hope to remind him of someday. Stories maybe he will share with his children.

I know this is a short story but hopefully one that will make you smile.

I’ll always love that John of mine.

Take care!

Rebecca