For putting up with the craziness her trips usually entail, I’m entitled to some gift … usually of the purse variety, and of a brand I wouldn’t be able to afford for myself. 

So there I am last week, searching for my perfect new bag.  Alas, I find it but the store is down to two. 

Can they hold it for me? Of course – but only until the end of the day … a full week before my mom’s arrival. 

Can she charge it over the phone?  Of course!  So my mom ensures I have my dream bag and charges it over the phone for me.  Here’s how that went …

Saleslady: “Ma’am, would you like us to send the bag home with your daughter or would you like it held in customer service until your arrival?”
Me: Super excited to take home my bag.
My mom: “Leave it customer service.  She can wait.” 
Me (to the saleslady): “Is she serious?”
Saleslady (to my mom): “Ma,am, are you serious?” 
My mom: “Yes.  I’m absolutely serious.  Please box it up and we’ll pick it up Friday.”

After the disbelieving salesgirl shared this with her fellow salesgirls and they all expressed their sympathy for me, I called my mom back and asked “how could you??” 

The explanation is this: 
My mom wanted us to go pick it up together.  She knew how much I wanted it and she wanted to be there to see my excitement to pick it up.  She didn’t want it to be “old hat” by the time she arrived a week later.  Part of the fun in getting for me was seeing my reaction to having it in my possession.

Three years ago, I wouldn’ t have had an ounce of understanding about this, and thought it was just plain cruel.  But being a mom, one of the greatest joys I have is seeing my boy happy.  I treasure those moments – the ones of utter surprise, of excitement, of bliss.  And I probably will still treasure them when he’s my age. I guess some things never change.

-Erica Smith, Copy Editor
esmith@opubco.com