One day when my daughter was 7 or 8, she gave me a pearl necklace that she had made at school. I told her I loved it and thanked her. That night before we went for dinner with friends, my daughter said to me, “Mom, you can wear your new necklace!”
I looked at necklace, thinking I shouldn’t disappoint her, but a small section of the necklace didn’t have pearl on it. “I’ll wear it next time,” I said.
“No, Mom, wear it today,” she said.
“I can’t. Not today. Next time, okay?”
She wasn’t happy; I felt terrible.
Many years later, I got older and was no longer care what people think of me. One day, when my daughter was home, I put on the pearl necklace for dinner at a nice restaurant. “Where did you get that?” my daughter asked.
“You made it for me, remember?”
“Oh… yes. Why are you wearing it?”
“You were quite upset that I didn’t wear it when we went out eating dinner with friends, remember?” I said. I paused and then continued in a soft voice, “I told you I would wear it later.”
She giggled. “That’s embarrassing. Would you please take it off now?”
Oh, Helen–this just made me smile.
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Thanks, Lois. It’s quite interesting how a story would suddenly surface after so many years. Whenever it happened, I tried to take advantage of it. 😉 Helen
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So sweet….the things we do for our children.
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Yes, and always wonder if we have done enough… 😉 Helen
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We did. And for some children, there’s never enough. 🙂
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Ha ha ha…
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Such a sweet story. Even adults kids come up with the most clever of words. 🙂 🙂
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Thanks, Cee. True. That’s why it’s fun to be with them. Sometime. 😉 Helen
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Great story ~ I remember feeling so proud when my mom wore this very thin gold chain I got her from my lawn-mowing money…kids remember the best things and there isn’t anything better than Mom 🙂 We always know that Moms give everything (and more) for us…. Love this story (and great photo too…love the necklace, is it the one?!?).
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Thanks, Randall. Yes, that’s the one. All pearls are in the front; none in the back. At least, the front is covered. 😉
I wonder… have you been to Taiwan? If so, if it posted on your blog? Helen
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I have been to Taiwan twice, did not photograph it but absolutely fell in love with the place (Taipei and then the trek down to Kenting) and have been planning a trip back for years but have yet to make it… Really need to ~ 🙂
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If we are in Taiwan at the same time, how about an1-1 workshop? 😉 😉 😉 I would love to learn some skill from you. Maybe one year? 😉 Helen
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That would be awesome! Please let me know when you will be back…that would be cool!
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What a wonderful mom you are, that you still have the necklace. 🙂
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I have problem to let go. 😉 I don’t mean this necklace. There are many other things… I am working on it. Ha. Helen
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Well shared, Helen, Thank you. Just this Christmas one of the stocking stuffers I sent to my Mom was a (actually pretty) costume jewelry bracelet that I found at an estate sale. I sent it knowing full well what type of jewelry my Mom appreciates and wears, more as a gag. And she loves it! And I know (through my sisters) that she has actually worn it. Imagine what knowing that did for my feelings — when to the reverse of your story — it yielded a similar, good-feeling outcome. 🙂
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Eric, you are a wise man — I know that because I read your blog 😉 I can almost see your mom’s smiling face… an universal body language… for mothers. Thanks for sharing. Helen
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Hi Helen, everything has the right time, we can’t fix it later. Have a great week!
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You are right, Elizabeth. Still, we can’t help but trying… Helen
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I love this story. It tells much about mother and daughter… Beautifully done, Helen!
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Thanks, Amy. Being a mother is the best part of my life 😉 even though I have made mistakes… Helen
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Those might not be mistakes. In hindsight, I probably could do things differently, but that was then… 🙂
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Made me laugh out loud. This is another beautiful slice of life through your eyes, Helen.
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Thanks, Sue. I know you have a lot of similar stories too 😉 Helen
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Similar memories here! Love her reaction to your wearing it now. 🙂
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Thanks, Sue. Kids are interesting, sometime. 😉 Helen
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Love this story.
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Thanks Ruth. Helen
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What a sweet story. I think its funny how our outlook on things change. You no longer worry about what people think…now your daughter is embarrassed!
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Thank you, Tree. Good point! No wonder people say older people are like kids (or something like that)… Helen
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A story about time. You’ve been giving us sweet and thought provoking, memorable stories.
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Thanks, Rommel. It’s one of the great thing about blogging — It motivates me. Helen
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It’s good story, as it illustrates well how parents can agonise over suspected slights to their children, who forget them within a very short time …
Mind you, not that *I*’d know … :-\
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It is true. But when you wish they forget something, usually they don’t 😉 I haven’t fully figured it out yet.
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I was a coward about having kids, and I know it was for the best !
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I am sure everyone is different. My husband was that way in the beginning, but after my daughter was born, he spoils her more than I do. 😉
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I think the Chinese are marvellous parents. 🙂
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