Hedgehogs Running Amok

JP is a dolt. No matter how much I talk to him about his gift giving habits he fails to understand that it is not about the gift it is about the thought behind it. For example, for my birthday this year, he gave me a roto-razor, some gummy worms, some watermelon candy, a couple of shirts, two jackets and a toothbrush. Now to him, those were all great gifts. I had told him how much I had liked the Roto-Razor. I had told him I needed a new tooth brush. Those are my two favorite candies, and who can’t use new clothes? They are all good presents. I liked each one, but there is nothing there that will last forever. There is nothing there, that I couldn’t get for myself or that won’t be replaced in the next year.  There is nothing that says “I love you and you bring something to my life.”

Then last week, his mother returns from a trip visiting friends and family in Oregon. She brought me something back from her trip. It was a piece of 81/2 by 11 paper folded in half. It was in a plain manila envelope with a Sears catalog inside to make sure it didn’t get bent in transit.

On one half of the folded paper was written “Happy Holidays Rick, May his noodley appendage touch you FSM. There is then a hand drawn picture of the Flying Spaghetti Monster with mountains, trees, a pirate and midget.  It is signed by Bobby Henderson himself, The Creator of FSM. It is signed I am not ashamed to say I openly wept. I could not believe that she remembered a conversation from two years ago and got me Bobby’s autograph!

This is what gift giving is about. Getting someone something that they didn’t know that they wanted, but it is the best gift for them. Why didn't her son figure it out.

P.S. I know I am a crybaby and a geek, no need to post those comments. Thanks!