“My mother needs the best gift in the world! I’m thinking diamonds, dinosaurs,a pony,or a shinny purple dress with green and silver balls hanging from the sleeves, gold fringe along the bottom and orange buttons down the front.” This was my concern as a child then I had to settle for buying her a handkerchief for lack of money. At opening time I was miserable because my gift was so inadequate but over and over Mom would say, “Its the thought that counts.”
As years piled up behind my gift giving I realized I can give two kinds of gifts. I can give something I believe the person or cat will like, or secondly I can think, “I couldn’t care less what they want; this is what I WANT TO GIVE them.”
Up to this year John has merged the two. I’ve worried about what he imposes on our loved ones. I’d try to be careful with my language and wonder out loud if the person will like it, be offended, or even be angry. He’d try to answer but he speaks another language and would, time and again finally say, “This is what I want to give. Plus they DO want it; They just don’t know it yet!”
I had no idea there was a third category! Leave it to John to overhaul gift giving!! “What don’t you want for Christmas?” he asked Anna. I’ve given you everything I’ve ever wanted to give you and I know if there’s something you really want you’ll go out and get it yourself. So what don’t you want for Christmas?”
I’m glad he didn’t ask me. Because I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT SET OF WORDS MEANS!
But surprise, surprise, eight days later Anna, who must talk ‘John’ better then me, has an ANSWER!….
CATTLE PROD!!!!  nancymauerman.com