Wednesday 23 February 2011

A Magical Weekend...

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You might remember it was My Dad's birthday a few weeks ago and he is usually a bit tricky to buy for. He has had slippers for 20 years and rarely wears any of his clothes threadbare. We usually all put in and buy him something big like a fishing trip but as my heavenly Mum is dancing daily with dementia, time is really what he wishes for. He is quite desperate for it. He wants time to relax, take deep breaths and build up his energy stores. But. We all know time is very hard to come by.

So, after some very lateral thinking about something he would really enjoy, I have bought him three tickets to a magic show. Yes, he was perplexed too by the number of tickets but one ticket is for him and 2 are for my children. So, my gift was time. Time to relax, time with his Grandchildren and time away from my Mum to recharge his batteries. Sounds a bit harsh? Naaaah, just the way it is really. My Mum? She was with me. We planned to go to a movie and have a cuppa somewhere. Not to be. We were a bit late so instead we caught up with a friend and had afternoon tea. Then, a few hours later we met up with everyone for dinner.

It was a wonderful day. Apparently Grandpa was asked up onto the stage where he promptly had a $50 note torn to shreds only to have it reappear whole, with his name on it, from the inside of a lemon! Riveting stuff that!! I got to feel the note and it WAS sticky!!! I didn't plan the Grandpa- thing but centre stage 3 rows back is within 'being chosen' distance. They also had acrobats doing death-defying stunts. A good time was had by all. Fantastic really as it all went as planned.

What sort of presents do you give these days? These days I try to go for experiences...



Ciao for now... 

5 comments:

  1. I think that was a fantastic present for your Dad. It actually made everyone happy, your kids, your Mum and most importantly your Dad had a very special time. Well done. ;-)

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  2. An excellent gift. We recently went to a kids magic show, and I found myself laughing, tricked and thoroughly enjoying myself. Not to mention how great it is to see the kids amazement. Their joy, is my joy! :)
    I think you can't beat an experience as a gift, it's often those things we remember, not the utilitarian or object variety. (Not that I don't mind perfume!). For my husband's 30th I secretly organised months in advance a trip to the Barrier Reef. We were living in Sydney at the time. I gave him an envelope with breakfast in bed with the tickets. It was the best surprise ever!

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  3. Oh my heart swells, my mother has Alzheimer's, it's ugly, it's nasty, it's not her!! My darling father wants time too, he says he's greedy, 55 years of marriage is not enough. We all want more time, clarity & memories with my mum, my children's grandmother, the way we all knew her.
    She's quite good when there isn't any stress - like housework, cooking & the daily grind of being in your 70s, so my father constantly takes her overseas, travelling, hotels, cruises, anything to expands the time.
    I wish you & your family all the best, it's a horrible disease & what a wonderful spin you've put on it for a memory making event with your children. Love Posie

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  4. Oh my heart swells, my mother has Alzheimer's, it's ugly, it's nasty, it's not her!! My darling father wants time too, he says he's greedy, 55 years of marriage is not enough. We all want more time, clarity & memories with my mum, my children's grandmother, the way we all knew her.
    She's quite good when there isn't any stress - like housework, cooking & the daily grind of being in your 70s, so my father constantly takes her overseas, travelling, hotels, cruises, anything to expands the time.
    I wish you & your family all the best, it's a horrible disease & what a wonderful spin you've put on it for a memory making event with your children. Love Posie

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  5. I think experiences and making memories are definitely the best gifts to give!

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