On my way to the library today, we were discussing my son’s birthday. He is turning 13 tomorrow and she was wanted to know what I am gifting him. And I kept teasing her, first refusing to tell her and then revealing that I was going to give him a kiss and a hug as his birthday gift. I concluded by saying “we are throwing a big party inviting over his friends, so a gift isn’t necessary. ”

She pondered for a while and said in her chirping voice, “True, you always throw good parties and the party is our gift. But my friends get both gift and parties.”

“Do you want any gift for your birthday?” I asked.

She said a firm no. I insisted  and said, “Tell me what you want for your birthday?”

“I want you to keep loving me, dad.” She said with a big smile.

And like always I was speechless.

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