Small packages

They beam down at me from just above my pillow in a mixed shade of green, blue and grey accompanied by a tiny dimple, pearly whites and unruly morning hair.  It's my son's eyes, bright and smiling, as he gently nudges my shoulder and softly says, "Mom, are you ready to wake up?".  I've only been asleep for an hour and groggily say, "Not really, buddy, why?".

"I want to give you your Christmas gift" comes the reply.  I can tell by the look on his face that he's quite proud of this gift so I start to wake up.  The reaction time of a 13-year old boy is mind boggling!  In the time it takes me to adjust my pillow and begin sitting up, he flips on the bedside lamp with lightening speed while simultaneously turning to grab a small box from across the room.  Hello!!! Bright light! If I had any qualms about waking up they're quickly forgotten as the light infuses my sleepy eyes with painful brightness.  Good golly.

He presents me with a tiny black sateen box---the kind that jewelry comes in.   Before I open the box, he asks me to remove my current necklace and wear what he is now giving me.  Right about now there are a couple thoughts flying through my mind.  One is the recollection of some 'beautiful' jewelry that as a little girl I had given my mom for Christmas. Oh, please, God let him have better taste than I did! (Bless you, Mom, for keeping it all these years in spite of the way it looks.)  Second and more calming is the fact that he's a fairly good judge of all things Mom and soaks up off-handed comments I make about likes and dislikes.

So I open the box.  It's a box in a box.  Ever notice how jewelry makers have a knack for nestling one box in another? Is that to protect the contents? I'm unclear on how much jostling it takes to damage a forged  metal piece of jewelry packed in a sturdily constructed velveteen cushioned box within a box but, okay, whatever.  Pack to your heart's content.  I open the smaller interior box.

A new car, a million dollars or the trip of a lifetime pale in comparison to my gift.   It's a simple sterling silver open heart shaped pendant.  It was handpicked for me by my sweet, sweet son.  I give him a huge thank-you hug and kiss on the cheek.  I tell him I love him and wonder if he realizes how special he is with his own heart of gold that touches me daily.  Of course he knows because all through his life I've told him that he makes my heart smile.  Today was certainly no exception! I love you, Connor.