As I was working at my computer, my 8-year-old daughter, Nee, approached with a dejected look on her face.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” I asked as I pulled her towards me.
She sat on my lap and crossed her arm. “You didn’t even look at my Christmas present to you.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked. “You gave me an ornament and I hung it on the tree.”
“I’m not talking about that one,” she said. “I made you a card and you didn’t even read it.”
“You made me a card?” I asked sheepishly. “I guess I must have overlooked it. I’m sorry.”
“Hmmph,” she said.
“Where is it now?” I asked.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a crumpled card shaped like a Christmas tree.
“Here,” she said shoving it into my face.
I gently took the card and read this message:
Dear Daddy,
Thank you for all you have done for me this year.
Love, Nee
I held back tears as I stared at the card. My daughter had poured out her heart to me and I had carelessly overlooked it. I pulled her closer to me and squeezed her tight.
“Thank you, darling,” I said. “That was the best Christmas present that I’ve ever received.”
She smiled and her cold demeanor melted as I kissed her on the cheek.
Stay Strong,
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
This made me tear up a little.
It’s hard to say what the best present I got was this year. It’s been a really tight year for everyone I know and love financially, so I wasn’t expecting anything, not even from my parents. I’m 21 and I don’t live with them, and my dad never knows what to get me anyway (for my 21st birthday I got a Happy Birthday text message), so I figured I’d get overlooked. But then I actually had presents. It wasn’t even the gifts themselves–although those were great–but the fact that they remembered me. I would have been happy with a card or one gift, or just an actual phone call this time, but they got me more than that. It was like being a little kid at home again, and I loved it.
Hey there Mocha Dad:) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I love this post, it easy as parents to get busy with the day to day thank God for the love of our children!
When my 3 kids bought me 3 things from the dollar store:)
a candle
a best mom cup
bubble bath
xoxox
Ms. Wanda
Awwwww. Gotta love those Parent of The Year moments.
OMG!!!! I am wiping away tears. Our children make so many things for us that sometimes go unnoticed. But then, they hit you with something so big in such a small way. You’re a great dad and I know you truly appreciated it. Have a safe and wonderful New Year to you and your beautiful family.
That is really beautiful and I am feeling a bit emotional now. God Bless your family for 2010 and beyond. Keeping doing what you do!
Sweet post. Best present? Who can remember! Oh yeah, there was only one — a potholder weaved by my teen. My but the colors, very fancy!
Aww, that’s so sweet. Happy New Year!
The was a heartwarming post. Thanks for sharing such a special moment between you and your daughter. I think I’ll go hug my daughters now.
What a sweet, thoughtful present!
Happy New Year MochaDad!!
That is so sweet! It definitely showed the sincerity of her card.
So. Sweet.
(I tried to submit this comment and WordPress told me it was too short, and to please try again. Perhaps this will do?) LOL
Very sweet. I can only imagine what getting a personal home made gift will be like. I look forward to that.
Oh wow! That got to me. That is sooooo sweet! I got similar gifts from my kids (2 sets of twins). I absolutely LOVE when they make me things like that. I have a ton of them in my office that I wish I could hang up all over.
These little handmade things mean so much to the kids. A few years back my son made me a large heart “origami-like” for my birthday – and he was proud as punch about it. I proudly displayed it where everybody could see it…
Nee is so sweet. My children made picture ornaments of themselves that I just love!
Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha
Before kids I would say the cowboy boots I got when I was 4 were the best. But, like you, I’ve realized that kids change things. Even the slightest gifts from them make me happy. My boy got me a Yoga mat this year. He was so proud that he picked out the color. And, since he was proud, so was I.
Kids just melt our hearts! And it’s the little things they make that mean so much. With 5 kids I have a boat load of drawings, papers, and projects.
That’s a keeper. You can always tell when their gifts come right from the heart.
Sweet daughter. Hope you will remember this moment when she slams the door in your face because you don’t approve of her outfit.
Hopefully that will never happen.
Gee thanks for making me cry, Mocha Dad! That was so sweet!