Mom and I were Christmas shopping a couple weeks ago, and were in a kitchen store when mom saw a teapot she liked. She said “I want to get this for you for Christmas!” She was so excited about it. Mom has always loved tea cups and tea pots and pretty dishes. I also love tea cups and tea pots and pretty dishes, but I am moving in a couple months; downsizing, de-cluttering, determined to live more simply. I have a few tea pots, and don’t need another, but I didn’t want to disappoint mom, who was delighted with it. So she bought the pot for me, and off we went to continue our shopping and errands.
When we got home, she wanted to see the pot. She held it, oohed and ahh’ed over it. I set it on the counter and remarked how beautiful it was.
Skip ahead to last night, and this was our conversation:
Mom: Are you getting me a Christmas gift?
Me: I already did. It’s wrapped and ready to go with you to Scott’s.
Mom: What is it?
Me: I can’t tell you that – it’s a surprise! You have to wait till Christmas! But is there something you wanted?
Mom: I want that tea pot.
Me: The tea pot you got me for Christmas?
Mom: Yes, that one. I want it.
Me: Okay, you can have the teapot, I will gladly give it to you for Christmas.
Mom: Why would you give that to me? I gave it to you as a gift. Don’t you like it?
Me: I do like it, but if you really want it, I want you to have it! I’m going to give it to you to enjoy.
Mom: No, you keep the teapot. Am I getting another gift then?
Me: Yes, mom, I have gifts for you.
Mom: Goody!
This morning:
Mom: So am I getting the teapot?
Me: Sigh…. Yes! You are getting the teapot!
Mom: Why? I gave it to you. Don’t you like it?
Me: I love the teapot mom.
Also me: The thought in my head that I didn’t let come out of my mouth because I’m working on self-control): Seriously?? We’re going to go through this song and dance again today? Of course we are, because you can’t remember we already did this routine last night….
This evening:
Mom: Am I getting the teapot for Christmas?
Me: Yes, you’re getting the teapot for Christmas!
Mom: But why? I gave it to you, don’t you like it.
Me: I love it mom!
Also me: The thought in my head that I didn’t let come out of my mouth because I’m still working on my self-control): OH MY GOSH MOM – I NO LONGER CARE ABOUT THE STUPID TEA POT!!! WE CANNOT KEEP HAVING THIS SAME CONVERSATION. WHATEVER ANSWER I GIVE YOU, IT’S WRONG.
Mom: Okay are you getting me a present then?
A more compassionate me: Yes mom, I am getting you a present.
So who’s on first? I don’t know – me? Maybe? I feel like I kinda won that one. Wait, no…… no I will never, ever win these…. but sometimes it’s fun to try!
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