It's official. I have become my mother.
I knew it was coming, I mean it happens to everyone at some point, doesn't it? I guess I just never expected that it would happen to me.
Or rather in quite this particular way. A gesture or a saying, sure, but this? Totally unexpected.
Don't get me wrong, my mom is...was...is a beautiful and smart lady, class personified, great with money, a hard-worker, a capable and giving mom to four, a model, actress, fabulous singer who performed at Radio City Music Hall and on Broadway.
I'd actually be happy with any one of those qualities.
But of course, when someone says, I have become my mother, it's rarely meant as a compliment and today, as I utter those words, I too am referring to my mom's foibles rather than her fabulousness.
Sorry mom. Although, I have a feeling that if she heard my story, she would feel vindicated rather than violated.
Which doesn't really bode well for me, now does it?
My story begins long ago, at Christmastime, during my childhood and teen years. Every December, my mother would try to make the holidays a magical time. She cooked and baked, decorated, she filled the house with holiday music and always, always got us the greatest gifts.
When I was a tiny tot, our basement family room would be transformed into a toy filled wonderland, thanks to a very generous Santa Claus. As I got older, the gifts were just as exciting and just what I wanted...or even better, what I didn't even know I wanted until I unwrapped it. Mom did all the shopping and preparing on her own, after work, sometimes she even had two jobs, making it all look so easy.
However.
No matter how Christmas card perfect the holidays seemed to be, every year ~ and I mean every single year from age two to forty-two ~ my mom forgot one Christmas present that she had hidden away. No joke.
It was a bonafide thing, you could count on it and it generally played out something like this...my family members gathered together chatting about a random topic that had triggered my mom's memory and she would pop up, say "Damn it" (something she rarely did) and then she would disappear. A few moments later she would reappear with a paper or plastic bag, tucked behind her back, and a story. You see, she had seen this (item) somewhere and knew it would be perfect for (one of us), so she grabbed it and hid it (in a very good spot) and totally forgot about it until right now.
Of course, right now was usually March.
Which was fine, because who doesn't love an unexpected gift. She was so thoughtful, always making certain that everything was even, we all had the same amount under the tree and stuffed the stockings with even more. That didn't stop us from making fun of her though. Poor mom. It became a big joke in my family, as none of us could ever understand how she could just forget what she had bought for us.
Although with four snoopy kids, hiding that many presents in a small house, could not have been an easy task. She had them stashed all over and with work, as a widow, trying to give us all a great holiday, we should've cut the woman some slack.
Don't get me wrong, we were so appreciative, but we were kids and apparently memory loss was funny.
Until it wasn't. Which for me, was yesterday.
I was looking for something in a cabinet above my desk, when I found a small bag from JoAnn Crafts. I have seen that bag numerous times over the past year and while I never really thought about what was inside, I just assumed it was something that belonged in the cabinet...or why would it be there? I'm pretty organized and after all of my simplifying, there's not a lot of unknown hanging around. So I just left it.
It was a bonafide thing, you could count on it and it generally played out something like this...my family members gathered together chatting about a random topic that had triggered my mom's memory and she would pop up, say "Damn it" (something she rarely did) and then she would disappear. A few moments later she would reappear with a paper or plastic bag, tucked behind her back, and a story. You see, she had seen this (item) somewhere and knew it would be perfect for (one of us), so she grabbed it and hid it (in a very good spot) and totally forgot about it until right now.
Of course, right now was usually March.
Which was fine, because who doesn't love an unexpected gift. She was so thoughtful, always making certain that everything was even, we all had the same amount under the tree and stuffed the stockings with even more. That didn't stop us from making fun of her though. Poor mom. It became a big joke in my family, as none of us could ever understand how she could just forget what she had bought for us.
Although with four snoopy kids, hiding that many presents in a small house, could not have been an easy task. She had them stashed all over and with work, as a widow, trying to give us all a great holiday, we should've cut the woman some slack.
Don't get me wrong, we were so appreciative, but we were kids and apparently memory loss was funny.
Until it wasn't. Which for me, was yesterday.
I was looking for something in a cabinet above my desk, when I found a small bag from JoAnn Crafts. I have seen that bag numerous times over the past year and while I never really thought about what was inside, I just assumed it was something that belonged in the cabinet...or why would it be there? I'm pretty organized and after all of my simplifying, there's not a lot of unknown hanging around. So I just left it.
Well, for some reason, yesterday, I decided to open the bag. Inside, I found this.
Last year, in November sometime, my daughter and I had been at the store and she had seen this sweet little snow couple and fell in love. She's always been a fan of snow globes and has quite a collection. She wanted to bring this ornament home and add it to the tree, but for fifteen bucks, I said, no way.
Then, like any good momma, I went back the next day with my 40% off coupon in hand and bought it for her. My plan was to give it to her as an advent present, so she could place it on the tree in early December. Therefore, I needed to keep it handy. I did not tuck it away with all the other presents that would be wrapped later in the month, ok, on Christmas Eve, but I placed it in the kitchen cabinet for an easy grab.
Well, obviously not so easy. I never thought about that sucker again. And I don't have four kids. And I keep lists. I'm sure that this knowledge alone would be enough to make mom giggle, but it gets worse.
As each generation builds on the greatness of the one before it, I had to take mom's classic holiday faux pas one step further. You see, once it was unwrapped, I stood there starting at it. As if just forgetting about its existence wasn't bad enough, I couldn't remember whether I had given it to her and then stored it up there for the summer...
...or if had actually never given it to her at all. Pretty bad, huh?
Score one for my mom.
My eldest was in the kitchen watching all of this craziness unfold, laughing and poking fun the whole time. In all fairness, I was laughing, too. I mean, how could this be happening?? To me? This was my mom's thing. I'm not that old and forgetting things? I have a great memory.
Damn it.
Mom, you never gave it to her. I've never seen that before in my life.
Are you sure?
Only one way to find out.
I held the bag behind my back, I still wanted it to be a surprise if, in fact, she hadn't already received it from me, and explained the situation to my daughter. My kids are well versed in the "my mom forgot to give us a present" family folklore and have been victims of it themselves. So they thought this was hilarious.
And no. She had not seen it. Until now...October. Score another one for my mother. At least she remembered her hidden treasure by the first quarter of each year.
While my daughter was extremely grateful for her belated gift, the laughing continued for a good long time. It was like a rerun of the show that went on in my own family all those years ago. They cracked the same jokes and called me grandma. And just as I upped the game, as the forgetter, this generation of spectators did the same. In addition to the relentless teasing, I was treated to the added bonus of being featured on my kids' Snapchat and Instagram stories, complete with pictures, emojis and comments.
#whenyourmomforgetstogiveyouyourchristmaspresentuntilhalloween 😂😱😂
Public humiliation at the hand of a few smug teenagers.
Fabulous.
That's ok though, I can take it and I probably deserve it after all those years of making fun of my own mother.
What goes around, comes around.
I just hope my kids remember that.
Because they can run, but they can't hide.
Especially when it comes to Christmas presents.
At least in this family.
Have you turned into our parents yet?
Looking for a few more funny stories? I have one appropriate for just about every holiday. Go figure.
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| Valentine's Day |
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| The Not So Itsy Bitsy Spider |
Kim, great story. I can't remember my mom forgetting anything but that probably only means that I can't remember if she remembered! Everybody's faults are safe with me! Happy Weekend..Judy
ReplyDeleteThanks Judy! Haha! Perhaps forgetting you forgot is better. 😉🤣
DeleteMy sister and I talk about that all the time and have a promise that we will each help the other avoid it all the while warning our daughters that it is in the genes...
ReplyDeleteGreat story.
My mom once found a package of chocolate chip cookies in the suitcase up on the top shelf in her closet that her mother had hidden there while on a visit. My mom rarely used that suitcase so she has no idea how long they had been there. Just a thought. If you had not been so shocked at finding the missing gift and not had a witness you could have pretended it was an early gift for this Christmas.
I love it Lorri, a partner to keep you on your toes! And hiding cookies huh? I have done that. 😊
DeleteYour Mom sounds like my Mom. Six days before Christmas she yelled at me because I hadn't put the tree up. She was dying of cancer and told me that whatever happened it would still be Christmas so I put the tree up. She died five days before Christmas and we buried her 3 days before Christmas and when the people came back to our house, it was decorated just like my Mom would have done it. Thanks for sharing your memory.
ReplyDeleteOnce a mother always a mother, wanting her kids to enjoy the holidays no matter what. Definitely sounds like my mom. I’m so sorry about your loss...
DeleteFun . . . “Am I My Mother Yet” stories . . .
ReplyDeleteMy two, now grown and in their 50’s . . .
(Wow, does that sound OLD.)
Bring up “my story” each holiday . . .
Like . . . “there she goes again” OR
Mom . . . “you did it again.”
We are usually all sitting at the table and I hear . . .
MOM, YOU FORGOT THE ROLLS
My story in a nutshell . . .
From all the stories being shared it would do like it's definitely a mom thing!! It’s all of us in a nutshell!
DeleteI think we are all a little like that. I have definitely found gifts down the road long after a holiday. I've also had that moment on Christmas morning staring at the gifts and knowing that something is missing but can't put my finger on it!! You, my friend, tell about it all so well though.
ReplyDeleteI think you’re right Stacey. Everyone seems to have a story to tell!
DeleteSuch a great story, Kim--and so very true!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cecilia!
DeleteAnother great story. I just love the memories you share with us.
ReplyDeleteYour mom sounds like a very special lady. I always enjoy when you share the stories about her. And then, the relationship you have with your girls. LOVE IT!
Have a blessed weekend.
Carla
Carla your comments always make me smile! Thank you!! 😊♥️
DeleteKim you have the greatest mom. How wonderful she was to make sure you guys always got the best of gifts and what a fun memory and story about her forgetting the one gift. I have done that but usually think about it when the kids are opening gifts and I have something that goes with something else and it is not with their gift. Then I have to say hang on and go to my hiding place to find the thing that went with the other thing lol! So I think we all have those moments. The snowglobe ornament is adorable.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
She really is the greatest, Kris, thank you. ❤️ And reading through the comments, I feel so much better. The stories that are being shared have me in stitches this morning! I am so relieved to hear that I am not alone. I just hope it doesn't keep happening...ugh. We'll see, Christmas is not that far away! xoxo Hugs!
DeleteMy mom does the same thing! We also give her a very hard time about it!
ReplyDeleteI haven't done it yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did happen!
I guess it's a mom thing, Deanna!
DeleteA few years ago a coworker and I were discussing this very thing. She said she'd heard gingko biloba was recommended to help maintain a healthy memory. So... she bought some. And then she stood there tapping her foot and biting her nail... thinking .... finally, she said... "I never took any because I can't remember where I put it!" The hysterical laughing commenced.
ReplyDeleteNO way!! I love this story, Cindy! I would be hysterical too...thanks for sharing with us. 🤣
DeleteHilarious! Laughed throughout and fantastic writing as well!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Glad I could make you laugh, Brenda!
DeleteLol NO! I am the opposite of my parents! But I love your story!
ReplyDeleteLucky you! And thanks!! 🙂
DeleteKim, your momma sounds very much like mine, who did everything possible to make our Christmases everything we could dream of, and all on a budget. Funny about the snowman globe you found. I found a gift we got for our grandson and forgot we had. We got it for when he would be about 10-12, and I didn't find it till he was 16. I'm going to put it in a garage sale I guess. I don't think our now 18 year old grandson would be interested in putting together a wooden dinosaur skeleton..LOL
ReplyDeleteHa! Florence, you win!! And you just made me feel so much better! I love it!
DeleteLOLOL!
ReplyDeleteChristmas karma? or mama karma?
you will be the butt I mean the center of the jokes and attention now.
you know... those told over delicious pie and coffee at the table during dessert.
the crown has been passed!
and I see you've dragged out that HORRIBLE DANG HUGE BLACK SPIDER again this year.
I might not be able to visit here again until after halloweenie days. YUK.
Mama karma....I love it, Tammy!! And yes, I always seem to be the butt of the joke around here. I think that comes with the mom job description. 😉Funny thing, we found that icky spider the other day, lurking in my craft bin. My daughter is always terrified that she is going to find a spider in her dirty laundry down in the basement. After my own round of teasing, my husband and I were so tempted to place it on top of bin...but we would actually like her to DO her laundry. So we refrained. For now...ha! I promise to keep it off the blog moving forward. He creeps me out, too...
DeleteSo funny! I think it's inevitable that we always turn into our mother at some point. Great story, i love these types of posts, please keep doing them.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed it, Carol! You just made me smile. Have a great weekend and thanks so much for the visit. 😊
DeleteGreat story! Both my mom and I have done similar...hiding presents and then forgetting where we put them. But we just save it until the next Christmas and no one is the wiser. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat is what I should’ve done, Melanie! My own laughter gave me away. Next time ~ oh boy, because I know it’s coming ~ I will be smarter! 😊
DeleteMy mom was guilty of hiding gifts and sometimes forgetting the rolls or cranberry sauce at dinner. I'm guilty of a lot of things, but the big one is looking exactly like my mother!!! More and more everyday!
ReplyDeleteJane x
Ha, Jane! My mom used to do that, too!! And I am looking more and more like my mom, too. That one I can deal with.
DeleteI giggled just reading the title and knew there was a good story to come! ;) I was right. :) I became my mother a long time ago and now she and I both laugh at our forgetfulness. Gotta love it! For the record, my kids take great glee in teasing me too. Their time is coming...I'm just waiting....;)
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that I am not alone, Debbie…in the forgetting, the becoming my mother and the teasing kids. And yes, their time is coming. Ha! 😉 Thanks for the visit and I’m glad you enjoyed my tale.
DeleteToo funny! And even funnier is that now you will probably do it again! I did that recently with a sweet vintage figurine I had for my granddaughter that had the number 5 on it for her fifth birthday. Totally forgot till it was too late. Thank goodness I found the same figure with a 6 and then forgot that too on her birthday! Luckily my daughter had a second birthday celebration for her 6th birthday and I gave it as a bonus gift, like I planned it that way all along. Feel better now?!
ReplyDeleteMuch better! Thank you, AnnMarie. Everything's better with a friend...even forgetfulness! 😉
DeleteWhat a hilarious story! Great way to start off my morning! I liked what you said... what goes around comes around, LOL. You have a gift for storytelling! It's another great story to add to your family's repertoire but tell your daughter her turn is coming!!! LOL... Have a blessed weekend!
ReplyDeleteI’m so glad I could make you laugh this morning, Marilyn! It was actually really funny…I just can’t believe this is where I am. How did it happen so fast? 😉
DeleteFantastic story!! Thanks for the big grin this AM! I've lost cards for my hubby.
ReplyDeleteGlad I could make you smile, Bobbie. That's what it's all about!
DeleteHaha that was such a cute and funny story Kim. Yes, I can relate to doing some crazy forgetful things like that. Thanks for the laugh today.
ReplyDeleteHugs Julie
Oh Julie, we laughed so hard. I can’t believe this is starting! Hugs…I am hoping today is a good day for you. xo
DeleteOh, this is hilarious! And a little familiar... I've forgotten presents too. I've also forgotten to take down a Christmas decoration until February. It just blended right in. And...I found an Easter egg hidden in July once. Gulp. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, Lisa...that happened to me!! Well...to us! I forgot about that! My daughter was dusting the shelves in the living room and screamed that something gross just poofed apart when she touched it. Old Easter egg...bad momma, again. Now that's two incidences. Uh oh...
DeleteLOL, how funny. I have done the same thing. How sweet and funny of you and I'm sure your girl will remember the snow globe story for years.
ReplyDeleteYou're probably right, Vanessa! My crazy forgetful, mother-mind, just turned that trinket into a treasure! Great perspective, thanks!
DeleteΙ love your story, Kim. I think I am becoming my mother gradually. Recently, I found out that I use her own words when I speak. Even her tone of expressing these words. My husband told me that, so I watched myself and I suddenly understood that he was right. But I thought the same to you: I said this would never happen! Kisses, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny, Mia...I think sometimes we can't see it in ourselves, then someone points it out and that's all we see! Thanks for the visit, my friend! ❤️
DeleteThis is too funny!
ReplyDeleteAnd, I'm glad I'm not the only one!!!
From the comments it seems like we are in good company, Carol!
DeleteThat is too funny! I swear we're all cursed with something from our mothers. I've turned into a clean freak and I never thought that would happen lol
ReplyDeleteI'm sure she was happy to get it, even if it was late :)
love to you,
rue
Yes! That seems to be the general consensus from the comments, too. Makes me feel a little bit better…although I think I’d rather be cursed with the clean gene than the forgetful one. Ha! It makes me feel old! 😉
DeleteLol I LOVED that story! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb! My mom liked it, too!
DeleteOh my goodness, Kim, you had me cracking up! Seriously, you really do have to laugh at that kind of thing. But I can honestly say that I have not turned into my mom, and I hope to keep that slate clean!
ReplyDeleteCarol
Oh we did laugh, Carol...mostly at my expense, but it was funny! 😊
DeleteAt holiday dinners my mom almost always forgot to put a refrigerated dish on the table, and she'd finally remember about halfway through the meal. I've never done that, but I have purchased birthday cards months in advance of the date because they were so "perfect" for the recipient, only to completely forget about them and then find them later, after the birthday had passed, usually in an obscure location that makes me question my sanity. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteI laughed at your “sanity” comment, Nancy! I know exactly what you mean! 😊 Hugs!
DeleteI loved your story and enjoyed the humour. Your daughter's turn is coming.....
ReplyDeleteI think you're right Ronda! Happy fall!
Delete