It took a few days of preparation but I was able to take Kathryn to Maggiano’s for her birthday.
I asked her sister to take her out shopping for an outfit the day before because I had to go to work. Her sister and her daughter picked Kathryn up around 9:30am on Saturday and headed out to dinner and a day of shopping. I gave Kathryn $200.00 and a kiss and told her to have a good time and if she needed me that I would have my cell phone and that she could call me anytime she wanted to.
When I got home later that night I asked her how her day was and she proceeded to tell me how wonderful a time she had. When I asked her where she ate she couldn’t remember but assured me she had the most wonderful meal (Chic-fil-a).
She got two outfits, a pair of shoes and some dish towels (wasn’t really sure why she got the dish towels other than she liked them). I talked to her sister later the next day and she told me she was really surprised how bad Kathryn was. I asked her what happened and she told me when Kathryn was checking out she gave them the outfits and the shoes but would not give them the dish towels. Her sister had to convince her it was ok that they would give them back. Her sister told me she finally let them ring them up but did not take her eyes off of them while they did and insisted in carrying the bag once they were done and carried it with her the rest of the day. She carried it to lunch and everywhere they went. She even carried it into other stores.
We went out to eat on Sunday evening with a group of nine and she had a great time. We all gave her the presents for her and she opened each one and cried each time. When she was done with her presents she said she had something for me and she handed me a shopping bag. I opened it and the dish towels were in it. She told me she got them for me while she was out shopping because it was my birthday too (mine is Nov. 26th) and she knew I needed them.
I can tell you right now. I will keep those dish towels forever.
Jim, your story made me cry. Loving tears! I would keep them forever too. How fortunate you are that she could still do that act of love for you. ((((((HUGS))))))
Jim, maybe you should frame the towels and hang them in a prominent place in the house (unless you think Kathryn would be upset by this). Anyway, I agree with the others - you should keep them and pass them on to future generations with the story.
Jim, thank you soooo much for sharing that touching story. I believe that you WILL keep those dish towels forever and that they will be passed along with that amazing story. God Bless you both. Arms arouund Susan
Thank you all for your comments, I feel like I should have them bronzed, but I think she wants me to use them. Kathryn helps me with the dishes some nights by drying them and putting them away (after she is in bed I move them to the right cabinet). Last night she was excited about using the new dish towels. She has really been happy the last few days. I am going to the store and buy some backups to replace the ones she got when they get too worn for use. Maybe I will go ahead and replace one of them and save that original. I will always remember this birthday.
These last few days have been special in our house. She had seemed to be slipping faster. She still isn’t the Kathryn I married but she has been a lot more together (moving, talking even teased my father a little)so much so that the last three days the atmosphere around the house has had something special in the air and you can feel it. I can’t explain it but I can feel it. And it feels good.
I so loved the story of Kathryn's gift to you. Dish Towels with a whole new meaning. Yes, I'd replace them quick and put the originals away as a memento. There are things my husband gave me over the past few years that I wish now I had saved, or taken care of better........or even aprreciated more. Sometimes I'm ashamed to say I'd become irritated with the things he'd pick up when we were at the store ... insisting he wanted these "things" for me. Sometimes I was able to put them back without him noticing (I was really watching the pennies that last year). I am looking at things in a different way now, and only wish I had realized and appreciated the love in Paul's gestures at the time. You truly have something to cherish!
We do have to treasure "strange" gifts as we never know when they will be the last. I grow orchids and other exotics. The last gift Bill gave me was some plastic roses in a Lucite music box. Definitely tacky-but they remain on display in my living room and will remain there.