Accepting a gift

My Grandmother must have made many memories sledding, I thought, as she handed me the Flexible Flyer III. It was an awkward experience receiving her gift.

We were cleaning out her garage. Collecting donations for Cassidy's trip to Italy. The sled stood in the corner. I never asked for it. I did not want it.

When we were done, she walked over and touched it. Then picked it up and handed it to me. "Its silly that I have kept this. Its never been used. Its a good sled. Don't sell it."

Well, perhaps, those where not her exact words but I could see the sled meant something to her so, I accepted her gift,  even though I did not want the gift and it was given with strings attached. She wanted to make sure it had a good home.

Since then we have used the sled many times. Like Here and Here*.  Looking back, I think she knew what she was giving, even though I did not.

*The last "here" will take you to one of my most googled web page and includes graphs --Oh, how I love graphs!

Tanner appreciating a view.
Taken at Dimple Dell after an evening of single track sledding on a Flexible Flyer III

I received a gift poorly. Once. It was a rocking chair.

I was pregnant with Casi and emotional as all hell.**

** I will deny this if asked, but ask anyone else, who knew me at that time, and they will tell you what is probably the truth.

My mom wanted to give me a rocking chair for Christmas. She searched for one within her price range over the span of many weeks. She found one at Pier 1 Imports with a defect that my father could fix. She excitedly bargained down the price and brought it home.

I unwrapped the gift and thanked her but, my expression must have shown my true feelings. Eventually, I told her I did not like the gift.

I  know my Mom has forgiven me. I still feel terrible.

I have accepted many unwanted gifts before (and after) the rocking chair incident. I think I can accept a gift well.

I read Cannery Row by John Steinbeck while I was in college.

A book that depicts life in a depressed fishing town in California. The story of the owner of a chinese grocery, ladies of the night,  a household of grown-up delinquents, and other assorted characters coming together to give Doc a birthday party.

The books worst critics say Cannery Row has no plot.

Within its definition, plot, is concerned with how events are related, how they are structured, and how they enact change in the major characters of the book. Perhaps, Cannery Row has no plot but it did enact a change within one of its readers.  Like the incident with the rocking chair, it showed me the beauty and importance of accepting a gift.

And so, at this time of year I often think of the importance of giving gifts but also of receiving them.