Gift.

When I was about 8, I jumped in delight whenever Dad told us we were going to Swensen's for ice cream. It was ectstasy to imagine the mix of the cool and creamy treat melting in my mouth. We literally lit up, my brother and me, whenever we were in the car and ready to go.

When I was 14 , I had sent in a little article to a teen magazine and saw it getting published.  When they had returned with a gift bag sent to me, I was elated. More than elated. I refused to use it and stared at my prize in triumph. I felt like a little conqueror that had been granted ruler of several nations. Well, sort of. :)

When I was 16 I won a little Nike contest they organized at school and as a result was presented with a gift package of various products. T shirt, cap,berms and other little gadgets. I was over the moon.

But nothing beats the wonder and bliss of hearing the doctor say that my mother did not need to be on chemotherapy. Her cancerous cells were kept to an alltime low after the blacksheep ones were removed and that odious tumour. Mum had chemo years earlier due to a different cancer. Although mum's cancer was at 3rd stage and had a scary ring to that this time, we had held on strongly in the faith that God can protect us and He did.

I am oh so lucky and happy to have friends that stood by and encouraged me. Just the other day I spent New Year's eve with one of my best friends. She is the sort of person I admire. Competent, confident and utterly utterly beautiful. I wish I was making it up so I can look like I'm praising her but then I always tell her to stop being a traffic hazard. Imagine the lives she puts at risk when she strides across the road. That was some night.  All we did was talk, had yummy Japanese food,talk over coffee. Laugh and just really hanging out. It's friends like these I know, don't just come and go. Sometimes u can't even blame them for coming and going, because life is like that. People have different things and different paths to lead. It's how we cherish the moments and connections we built along the way, that we sort of shuffle our feet and go, No Wait, here's a friend I REALLY want to keep. And then we go tease them, make more jokes at them and tell them we love them by dragging them to eat more food after dinner. Right J? :)

And to the people here that always give me such comforting words, THANK YOU. U may not know it but all your little wishes really help someone with an ailing parent. Imagine how sweet it is to open your mail each day and see somebody wishing your family and u well. Blessings just pour out unanimously. I am extremely grateful for that. I also know this. During this festive period where everyone is merrily having their turkey feasts and countdowns, I also got to know my mother better. I travelled back in time to revisit her childhood, to hear about her non existent dreams (how sad) and how she loved eating iceballs when she was young. This was my non visual figurative feast and I loved the ride.

Thank you God for mum and good friends and every blessing they have poured generously on us.