Sneaky Little Elf

One of the things I miss most about my mom is her ability to just "know". Christmas shopping for her was a breeze because I would just buy her stuff I wanted and she'd love it. Occasionally, we purchased each other the same gift.

She'd buy me things that I mentioned in passing months ago. Things I never knew I always wanted.

It's silly, but, I miss that so much. My dad and stepmom need a list. And 95% of the time they don't follow the list anyway and I end up with pajamas and a potato peeler. Now, there's nothing wrong with potatoes and pajamas, I just, if you ask me for a list, freaking purchase off the list or give me money. These are your options.

Then, on my birthday, I was gifted a mini food processor that I'd seen on a shopping trip with my aunt several months ago. MY AUNT. My dad's baby sister. Who is nothing like my mom. Not even a little bit.

I was floored. It was the best gift I'd received in ages. No, it wasn't the most expensive, it wasn't even on my list, but, she remembered that I'd said I wanted a mini food processor and she bought it for me. It's totally something I a) wouldn't put on a list and b) wouldn't purchase for myself (because unless it's candles or clothes from Anthro it's really hard for me to justify purchases). But she did. She remembered.

Last night, I came home to a huge box waiting for me and my husband. She had told him last week she was sending us a dog from Sears (since back in the day you could purchase a dog from Sears!). We were slightly concerned we were getting some sort of dog food or something like that. Hm.

I opened up te box to find this:

The ice cream maker attachment for my KitchenAid!!

Again, I mentioned this to her months ago. She remembered. I was floored.

She's become the elf my mother once was and it's awesome. I think I even got a little teary. Over an ice cream maker!

And because I fancy myself a superb elf, I purchased her a print of the lyrics to a song my grandma used to sing and that we all sang at my grandma's funeral. I win niece of the year.

Hopefully.

(I don't mean for this to sound all braggy, I was just really surprised by my aunt. We've never been really close and it really touched my heart that she would think of me like that. I am grateful to my dad and stepmom for everything--including potato peelers. I was just humbled that someone in my family other than my mom actually "gets" me)

Merry Christmas!