The Best and Worst Gifts

Originally Published Dec. 2012

We had a tradition in my family that has continued to this day:  Whenever someone has a birthday or an anniversary or a special event in which he or she receives a card or a gift, that item is placed on the top of the TV console for the entire world to see.  That was really easy in the old days when everyone had a console TV.  Not so easy in today’s world – but, we accommodate by placing the card on a desk or table in the living room.  Some place for everyone to see and admire.

My parents were married on October 22, 1940.  On October 22, 1941, they spent their first wedding anniversary together enjoying their almost one-month-old baby boy, my brother, Steve.  The Year, 1941, was the last time they spent their anniversary together until 1965.  You see….. my dad was a hunter.  Why they picked October 22 for their wedding date, I’ll never know.  I believe mom just didn’t realize how important hunting was to my dad.  Ducks, geese, pheasant, and deer were his specialties.  Mom got used to being alone on their anniversary.  Besides, she wasn’t really ever alone.  She eventually had three kids to keep her company while he was away for days at a time.  My brother eventually became a hunting partner with dad and they hunted together for many, many years.  A true father/son experience that bonded them forever.

So, while my dad and Steve hunted, mom and my sister, Joanne, and I did what we did best.  We shopped!  I remember my Mom always coming home with a very expensive hat on her head.  She called it her “hunting hat.”  I called it “pay back.”

Anyway, I think my mom gave dad quite a few hints that she’d like him to take one year off from hunting so they could celebrate their 25^th wedding anniversary.  My dad was no dummy.  He figured that if he wanted to have a 26^th anniversary, he better show up for the 25^th!

They made plans to go out for dinner on October 22^nd and prior to that meal, exchanged their anniversary cards and gifts and placed them appropriately on the TV.  Our family and their good friends, however, had different plans for them.  A surprise party – to be held at their home.  Right before they left for dinner, everyone arrived and yelled, “surprise!”  Oh, we all had such a wonderful time.  

Everyone, of course, wanted to know what each had given the other on this momentous occasion.  Well, on the TV were two big, beautiful and mushy cards.  I honestly can’t remember what my mom gave my dad because what he gave her completely overshadowed her gift.  On the TV was …… drum roll ….. a rather large electric can opener!  Not only did it open cans – but it had a knife sharpener capability on the back!  Yep – my dad spared no expense in getting the very best.  He probably even got it at Dayton’s!  Of course, he never lived that down and to this day, my siblings and I laugh about that particular gift.

But, there is more to this story.  Five month’s later, my dad called me and asked if he could have mom’s birthday present sent to my home in St. Paul and also – could I please wrap it?  “Of course,” I said, “as long as I can peak in the box to see what it is.”  I was given permission to do that and when the Dayton’s truck came the next day, I quickly opened the box and took out the most beautiful mink fur stole I’d ever seen.  Well, actually, it was the only mink stole I had every seen; but that’s beside the point.  I took special pains to make sure I wrapped the box perfectly with the prettiest bow and gorgeous paper.

My husband, Norm, and I arranged to take the birthday gal and dad out for dinner and, of course, we brought his present with us.  We even filmed mom opening up her present with our Super 8 camera.  Mom was so surprised and thrilled with her gift.  She modeled it right away and was so happy.  

And I cry each time I watch that little two-minute Super 8 film.  Not because I’m watching mom twirl around and dance with her mink stole, but because I’m watching my dad’s reaction to her being so ecstatic.  He has the biggest and proudest smile on his face.  I think I even see a couple of little tears in his eyes.  He is thrilled that he was able to make my mom so happy – and that he was able to pull this off – all by himself.  This was HIS idea.  No one put the thought into his head.  He picked it out.  He had her initials sown into the lining.  He paid for it.  And he got it wrapped and delivered.  And, you can bet he even made sure that mink stole was placed on the TV for all to see!