When I Get Old
I was talking to my grandma on the phone the other day and she was so excited to tell me she bought some Irish wedding handkerchief to give me to hold onto during the wedding ceremony. Ok, so I AM Irish (several generations back), and proud of that fact, but why, WHY would I want to carry an Irish wedding handkerchief at the wedding? Of course, I'll need something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in my shoe (I had never heard about the sixpence before but somebody actually gave me one this weekend! And to see the origin of this rhyme go here). But nowhere does it say anything about an Irish wedding handkerchief. (I guess I could use it for the "something new.")
I don't know why I'm so baffled by my grandmother's behavior. It's not anything new. My whole life she has given us random, weird, useless gifts that she thinks are just great. When I get old I hope I'm not one of those grandmas who gives those kinds of presents to her children or grandchildren. You know those gifts. The ones that come from ABC Distribution or Oriental Trading Company or whatever those places are called. Mail order catalogues! Garage sales! Things she bought for you when you were 7 and 15 years later just found them in her junk room and is finally getting around to giving to you! No, I want to give cool, nifty, useful gifts.
One year for Christmas she gave me this Oriental print origami paper. I hadn't done origami for several years and had no idea what to do with it now. So it sat in the bottom of my closet for a couple years before I felt like it was ok to part with a gift from my grandma. Another time she gave me this cheap Bugs Bunny picture album. Bugs Bunny is great and all but he's never been the desire of my heart. A few years ago she gave me this antique copper pot. I'm really not sure what I'm supposed to do with that. I think it's in a box in my attic somewhere. And this is just a few of the gifts I've received from her.
I hope this doesn't sound mean or harsh. I love my grandma. She's a great lady and would do anything for anyone. But where does she come up with some of these gifts? And everybody's grandma does it. I know everybody reading this blog knows EXACTLY what I'm talking about. And my grandma isn't as bad as some. My friend once got a plastic brush with "Susan" printed on it from her grandma. And my friend's name WASN'T Susan.
When I get old I think I'll just give cash.
I don't know why I'm so baffled by my grandmother's behavior. It's not anything new. My whole life she has given us random, weird, useless gifts that she thinks are just great. When I get old I hope I'm not one of those grandmas who gives those kinds of presents to her children or grandchildren. You know those gifts. The ones that come from ABC Distribution or Oriental Trading Company or whatever those places are called. Mail order catalogues! Garage sales! Things she bought for you when you were 7 and 15 years later just found them in her junk room and is finally getting around to giving to you! No, I want to give cool, nifty, useful gifts.
One year for Christmas she gave me this Oriental print origami paper. I hadn't done origami for several years and had no idea what to do with it now. So it sat in the bottom of my closet for a couple years before I felt like it was ok to part with a gift from my grandma. Another time she gave me this cheap Bugs Bunny picture album. Bugs Bunny is great and all but he's never been the desire of my heart. A few years ago she gave me this antique copper pot. I'm really not sure what I'm supposed to do with that. I think it's in a box in my attic somewhere. And this is just a few of the gifts I've received from her.
I hope this doesn't sound mean or harsh. I love my grandma. She's a great lady and would do anything for anyone. But where does she come up with some of these gifts? And everybody's grandma does it. I know everybody reading this blog knows EXACTLY what I'm talking about. And my grandma isn't as bad as some. My friend once got a plastic brush with "Susan" printed on it from her grandma. And my friend's name WASN'T Susan.
When I get old I think I'll just give cash.
posted by Heidi @ 3:16 PM
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