I love this picture. It has glitter on the hems of their skirts
and the ribbons around their hats.
My friend, Norma, has her birthday on Dec 24. Seriously, that is tough and often gets overlooked with the last minute frenzy of the day. I think about the worst day of the year for a birthday is my friend, Dave's special day, December 26th. Poor Dave, everyone including him is sick of parties, presents, rich foods and celebrating on that day. Plus add in the let down of Christmas being over after months of anticipation and preparations and let's not forget no money until payday! You get all your presents at the same time of the year and then it can be slim pickin's until next year. I think my parents were extremely thoughtful, my birthday lands at the exact middle day of the year...July 2nd. Just perfect for year around pampering!
The other thing about January birthdays is that everything is picked over after the holidays and they don't restock until after the annual inventory at the end of Jan or beginning of February. So when you go out shopping like I did yesterday, you are bombarded with a lot of 70% off Christmas stuff and some trinkety Valentine things and a lot of empty spaces on shelves usually well-stocked.
I didn't just discover this yesterday ~ because we have a child born in January. So I have known for a long time that if you want something good, get it early. It was hard when Laura was little because if I couldn't get whatever she wanted from Toys R Us before Christmas, they sure as heck were not going to have it by January 30th.
So all those thoughts came back as I was looking for Faye's gift and I searched and searched for something she might like. The places I usually can find something great for her were no help, so I just kept looking. Finally in this one shop this lady said, " Can I help you find something?" I said, "Well, I know what she likes I just can't find it. I have no idea what it is, but I will know it when I see it." I just wanted it to be just perfect for her~she has been a wonderful friend to me!
So I went around and around and around the shop scrutinizing every little thing. And this lady finally said, "Wow, I hope your friend knows how hard you are working on this, you must really love her. I said, "Yes I do!" Finally I did find something that I hope she likes...of course she said she did, she is just that kind of nice!
For me it is not so much the thing I give, but that the person knows I know and love them well enough to find something they will like. That is what matters to me when I go shopping. Have I paid enough attention to them, their likes and dislikes, to know? What matters most to you when you go shopping for your friends and family gifts? I just love to find what I think is the prefect little token of my affection for them.
I did find this little gift card that pretty much summed it up for me. It is the picture you see above of the greeting card I gave her. Girlfriends Matter is all it says on the front. And I thought how true, how very true that is! So I bought one to put in her package.
And then as I was leaving the shop, I decided to buy one for me too, so I could just look at it whenever I want to and remember what wonderful, wonderful women the Lord has put in my path and made them my friends. I should have bought a boxful and sent one to each of you. Thank you so much for being you, and for being my friends! And if you do have a December or January birthday, you will get just a little more tender loving care from me! Because I am a person who knows from experience, the often overlooked pitfalls, of having a December or January birthday! Love, Bonnie ♥
Hope it was great, Faye!
6 comments:
Not only are December and January birthdays hard to buy for; the children at school with these later birthdays tend to have harder problems too. I have 4 year olds turning five before September 1st as well as children turning six in September. A year's difference! It's like having a new born and a year old baby. No matter what you do, you're not going to get that new born to crawl like the year old can! It goes for the same with comprehension of curriculum! I guess if we look, we can find any month will have its ups and downs, ha! Love ya, Susie
What would we be without the girlfriends in our life?!
Thats Too scary to think about!
Girlfriends - as in mothers, sisters, in-laws, neighbors, classmates, co-workers, church members - wherever we find our girlfriends - are the tapestry that holds my life together.
I had no idea Faye's birthday was in January - I sure hope it was a fantastic day!
In our greater family we have a few "odd" birthdays, we solved it by celebrating on the half year. Nothing like having a party in the summer instead of the winter! We call it either the unbirthday or _______'s day.
I like that Girlfriends Matter.
Bonnie,
You are so sweet! I can just imagine you searching forever for just the perfect gift - and you always find it! The thoughtfullness behind all that effort is what means so much to me. It's great to have girlfriends - thanks for being a wonderful caring friend. You went above and beyond in the January TLC department :) You're the best!
Girlfriends do matter very much Bonnie. I don't know where I'd be without mine. They've been a great source of support to me through the years and my troubles. I hope you know that I consider you a cherished friend, even tho we have never met and only ever have conversations on here via our comments etc. I feel as if I know you. I think it's pretty wonderful. I am like you. I have a birthday in August and so I have never had to suffer the problems of one who had been unlucky enough to have a birthday in December of January! I am sure your friend will love what you bought her no matter what though, coz it came from you, a much cherished friend. xxoo
Last night we had a RS dinner where the presidency divided up the entire RS and we each went to our host's home for dinner. I reluctantly went because the evening family time is one of my "sacred cows" and I don't easily give it up. I wouldn't have gone except for the fact that my host is one of my neighbors/friends and she called me specifically to come. But I was so happy I went. We had a wonderful time just sitting around the table and visiting. We decided women just need women.
Will you be my girl friend Bonnie? That would be so nice to have such a caring friend. I am like that, I love to give..it started way back before I could have kids, I spoiled my nieces and nephews so much. I love to find that perfect gift..it's all so fun! That card reminds me of the Tea Room in the old Zions mall, I loved going there :D
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