childish

I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock ringing. I check the time 6:30am. Grumpily, I slump my head back onto my pillow. “another five minutes” i plead. Just as i was about to fall asleep again, i suddenly remember, it’s thanksgiving! I quickly hop out of my bed and change into the most decent outfit I can find in my closet. Then I rush downstairs and quickly gulp down some cereal. In my head, I can hear my mother saying “That’s not very lady like Fiona” but I don’t care. I run up the stairs again to do my hair and makeup. I‘m pretty sure I’m fast enough to win a marathon. I run downstairs, grab my car keys and jump into my car. I’m pretty sure I broke the world record for the fastest person to get ready, and that was definitely a intense workout. I drove to the nearest supermarket bought the best turkey I could find. Then as soon as I got home I sprinkled the turkey with some spices and added different types of vegetables, just like that, I stuffed the turkey in the oven. Then in a record of time, I have made all the dishes needed for Thanksgiving dinner, mash potatoes, the turkey, fig pudding, and some other dishes. I tidied up the house and made sure everything was in place. When the first doorbell rang, I smiled, the house was perfect and tidy, the dishes were all warm and mouth watering, I unlocked the door. It’s my aunt Polly. She was one of the guests I didn’t really want in my house, why? Because she still thinks I’m 9. Last year, she brought me a barbie dream house for Christmas! I smiled and welcomed her in anyways. Soon more and more people started showing up. Uncles, Brothers, Sisters, Nephews, Aunts, even some people I didn’t even know were family. Everyone enjoyed my Thanksgiving dinner, and soon, the part everyone was waiting for...gift exchange. Of course Aunt Polly volunteered to go first. She started giving everyone these nice little necklaces and bracelets, until she got to me. She handed me a small bright pink box with a white ribbon on it. Finally something that isn’t for nine year olds! i thought. Well I was wrong. Inside the box was a small beaded necklace with a unicorn charm on it. I was disappointed. But my aunt has took the time and money to buy me a necklace so I flashed a smile and thanked her. That was one of the worst gifts I have ever received. All the other gifts were dresses or purses, perfumes. Every single year my Aunt brings something so useless and it embarrasses me. So one day I decided to talk to her about it. I called her on the phone, after a couple of rings I heard her voice.

”Hello sweet pea“

”Hi”

”What do you need?”

”Aunt Polly, I have to talk to you about something“

”Yes darling?”

“I love you very much, however every year you give me childish things, such as dollhouses, unicorn necklaces and slime. I’m not a kid anymore, and I appreciate that you took the time out of your day to buy me a gift, but I think you should spend money on something more useful“

”Oh darling I know! The reason I buy you childish gifts is that you are my favourite child out of the whole family. And oh how cute you were when you were little. I just don’t want you to grow up you know?”

I can hear that my Aunt’s voice started cracking the phon.

I started to feel bad

As soon as I hung up. I gathered all of the gifts my aunt bought for me. I bought glue and cardboard and all sorts of stuff. I worked for days and weeks. Until it was finally my aunts birthday. When it was my turn to do my speech, I stepped on the stage proudly.

”dear Aunt Polly,

Happy 56th birthday, these years you’ve always looked after me and always cared for me. You were there when nobody else was. I enjoy your company. I have to say, when you started giving me those childish gifts, I was disappointed and mad. But when I found out the real meaning behind it. I started to appreciate. I realized that maybe it doesn’t mean a lot to me but it meant a lot to you. I spent a total of 5 months and 5 weeks making this birthday gift for you.“ As I took my creation out of the birthday bag, everyone gasped. It was a sculpture of me and my aunt on the princess castle she bought me, and I was wearing the unicorn necklace. I saw Aunt Polly crying , and my I smiled. “Thank you, for everything you’ve done for me, I love you“ applause spread across the room, people cheered for me. As I walked down from the stage, Aunt Polly stood there waiting for me. Her eyes filled with tears and smiling. She hugged me tightly. I started crying too. “Now now this is a happy event, let’s not cry” Aunt Polly said softly. I nodded and smiled , then I headed back to my seat. This happened a couple of years ago. My Aunt Polly died of cancer at the age of 60. I found the gift I made for her 10 years ago in her room. When people are in your life, you may take advantage of them. remember appreciate everyone that is in your life right now. because one day, you’ll lose them, just like I lost my Aunt Polly. I regret feeling mad and disappointed by her gifts when all she really wanted to do was just grant a wish she had. I know this story may sound quite silly to you, but it taught it valuable lesson to me. I’m telling this story today to you, and maybe go and call a loved one you haven’t talked to in quite a long time. Go and tell your parents you love them. Let those people know how important they are before they’re gone.