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It's the Thought That Counts

My abiding memory of 2015 is of events that are so sad
With my father’s death, it’s the worst year I’ve ever had

It has been the most challenging year for me
But with amazing support I remain pretty happy

I don’t want to dwell on events that have past
My memories of the year 2015 will always last

I want to leave the year on a humourous note
With a true tale of a gift that didn’t get my vote!

Mum and I went out to a local church fete
It’s very well attended and the raffle is great

We perused all the stalls and brought a few things
I got some lemon cake and some brand new earrings

The raffle stall bulged with wonderful prizes
With boxes that ranged in all shapes and sizes

One pretty white gift box really caught my eye
Four ‘Dior’ perfume miniatures for a lady to try

We brought some tickets then sat and drank tea
I said to mum, I’ve seen just the prize for me

The raffle got drawn and mum’s ticket was pulled out
I collected the prize of Dior perfume without a doubt

Mum told me I could have it as a Christmas gift
I was overjoyed and it gave my heart a huge lift

The gift box was placed under our little tree
Its pretty gold ribbon was there for all to see

I didn’t open the box on Christmas Day
Until Boxing Day the pretty box did stay

We were going out to friends later that night
I thought my new perfume would be just right 

Taking the pretty white box from under the tree
I pondered which scent would be perfect for me

Upon lifting the lid of the perfume box
I returned to the school of hard knocks

To my consternation and my deep chagrin
There was a void where the perfume once had been

An empty box was my only present from my mum
My gift is that I still have mum, so my poem is done.

This is a true story - someone had put an empty box as a raffle prize!

Contest: My abiding Memory 
Sponsor: Viv Wigley
9th January 2016

Copyright © Jan Allison | Year Posted 2016

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Vladislav Raven Date: 3/21/2016 9:41:00 AM Hi Jan, Another excellent write from your pen. It is always so sad when you lose a parent Jan, both my parents are now gone. it was nice that you would have a chance to at least end the year on a good note. It is so sad that someone would take as raffle prize from a box, one can actually get angry on that one. This is a negative but as you say, you still have positives. See the box as not having been empty, see it as a box of dreams yet to come, as yet unseen. Hugs....MIKE. XX, A seven and fave, Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 3/21/2016 3:14:00 PM It actually made me laugh out loud Mike - very much a continuation of the school of hard knocks in the past 2 years BUT material things mean nothing - I still have mum that is the important thing:-)hugs Jan xx

Mama Bear Date: 1/12/2016 5:54:00 PM Have a feeling that the box was not empty when it was placed in the raffle. Good you appreciate the positive and not the negative. Mum is worth so much more than a pretty box. Hugs Edith Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 1/12/2016 5:56:00 PM It was definitely empty when I opened it on boxing day lol - no matter what happened to the contents I am still blessed and that is to have mum:-) hugs Jan xx

Kp Nunez Date: 1/10/2016 11:43:00 PM Someone coveted the content and didn't stop at anything just to have it, dear. Aren't they lucky that you don't make a fuss! But what goes around comes around, poetic justice was not coined for nothing. hugs! :-) Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 1/11/2016 1:47:00 AM It was a bit of a shock when I opened the box... but I still have mum what better gift can i ask for!:-) hugs jan xx

Paul Callus Date: 1/10/2016 12:31:00 PM True, it's the thought that counts, but I hate being cheated, and I'm sure that I'm not the only one! I suppose I would have stuck both picture and poem in the notice board! ~ I did not know this contest was on; in fact I have just been to check on it, but it must have closed already:( Hugs // paul Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 1/10/2016 12:53:00 PM I won't make a fuss Paul lol mum loves going to the church fetes every month ... but I will be more wary choosing a prize next time we win. Mum always buys tickets but says I can have the prize if she wins - this one proved to be more than we bargained for lol:-) the most important thing from this is I still have mum so I am really blessed:-) hugs Jan x

Etienne Lariviere Date: 1/10/2016 1:46:00 AM Better a full heart than an empty box, touching poem Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 1/10/2016 7:00:00 AM Oh so true Etienne:-) hugs Jan xx

Eric Boddie Date: 1/9/2016 7:29:00 PM perhaps the "empty" box was worth more....than the perfume you were craving for....because it seems you truly understand....the best values on the land....are not for commercial use....but rather time spent having an excuse....exceptional jan....;) Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 1/9/2016 7:31:00 PM The empty box is a valuable lesson Eric - something may have a pretty exterior but be totally empty inside - the most precious gift I have is to still have mum:-) hugs Jan xx

Lindsay Laurie Date: 1/9/2016 6:35:00 PM G'day Jan ... excuse me for laughing Jan as your poem is not all about humour, and the empty box must have seen gritted teeth, but humour is about someone else copping it in the neck isn't it. Thank you Jan for sharing your disappointment - Lindsay Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 1/9/2016 6:39:00 PM I want people to laugh at the irony of the poem Lindsay - a pretty box revealed ... nothing at all BUT the important thing is I still have mum and nothing material in the world can ever replace her:-) I didn't want my poem to be about my sadness of the last year much of which I have hidden - I know 2016 will be tough for many personal reasons but 2015 is gone and i don't want to dwell on it:-) hugs Jan xx

Constance La France Date: 1/9/2016 6:17:00 PM Jan, wonderful, I love this, oh but so sad about that empty box, that was mean but your mom is so sweet, best of luck with this beauty, a perfect 7 Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 1/9/2016 6:22:00 PM Thanks so much my friend - I didn't want to dwell on the pain of the last year so I tried to go with humour in a scenario that is true - but the greatest gift I have is still to have mum:-) hugs Jan xx Constance La France Date: 1/9/2016 6:18:00 PM and of course the death of your father is heartbreaking, I know this pain well, dear heart

Dalia Shahein Date: 1/9/2016 4:18:00 PM This is very creative and beautiful poem my dear, I wish you the best in the contest , big hug / / :) dalia Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 1/9/2016 4:26:00 PM Thanks Dalia:-) hugs jan xx

Eileen Manassian Date: 1/9/2016 4:04:00 PM Depends on how pretty the box is! ;) Good you can laugh about It. Hugs, sweetie. Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 1/9/2016 4:12:00 PM The box is the one in the picture - even the 'insert' the perfumes were held in was gone - oh how I can laugh about it now but at the time I opened the box it wasn't funny - but material things truly mean nothing I still have mum and that is the most important gift I have:-) hugs jan xx

Jill Spagnola Date: 1/9/2016 4:03:00 PM Jan, as usual I am blown away by your flow and your form. How wonderfully you pen this memory. If I haven't yet, then I wish you and yours the most prosperous new year ever!!lovingly, jill Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 1/9/2016 4:11:00 PM It is a bittersweet memory Jill I don't want to dwell on the pain of the last year and the gift that never was really sums up how my year has been lol but I still have mum and I maintain my sense of humour and that is the most important thing:-) Hope 2016 is wonderful for you:-) hugs Jan xx

Maryann Nope Date: 1/9/2016 3:55:00 PM This poem is very nice.. bittersweet but I think you are holding up well. No? I hope you have an amazing 2016! Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 1/9/2016 4:09:00 PM I have had the most horrendous two years with my husband surviving cancer surgery and my father dying of cancer and other tragedies that have affected my life but starting to write, having amazing friends and maintaining a sense of humour have got me through:-) hugs Jan xx

White Sage Date: 1/9/2016 3:29:00 PM amusing you know...empty perf box in the raffle price...an excellent piece you've done Jan...best wishes for the contest Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 1/9/2016 3:30:00 PM An empty box as a gift .... it really was the icing on the cake for a terrible year lol but I still have mum which is the most important thing:-) hugs jan xx

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 1/9/2016 2:46:00 PM - :)))) ..... I hope there's still some delicious perfume odor in the box - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Login to Reply Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 1/9/2016 3:20:00 PM - So true, dear Jan <3 Jan Allison Date: 1/9/2016 2:50:00 PM The box is totally empty Anne Lise - lol - I am so so glad mum didn't keep the box she would have been so disappointed - at least I can laugh about it AND I had brought her her favourite perfume when I was in Malta that is why she said I could have the gift box - the main thing is we have lost dad but I still have mum and that is something so so precious and a gift that nothing can ever replace:-) hugs Jan xx