Little Presents

I went to kindergarten like any other day, excited to get home to my baby doll who was my best friend. Tear laden from nights I got in trouble, quick to laugh when I thought something funny, I loved my babydoll. My mom picked me up and said we were going to a party. It was a surprise party. I didn't understand when we just went home. Opening the door, the sight took my breath away! There was my babydoll sitting on the table in a party hat! She was all dressed up, clean and hair curled. So pretty! A little cake, streamers, and what looked like 30 presents all wrapped with bows!! Magical.. Warming my heart, and exciting my soul, I opened each one with so much gratitude and splendor. Baby bottles, hair barrettes, new doll clothes and a baby blanket, pacifier and tea set. It was the effort, imagination, love and follow through that my mother put forth that made an ordinary day one of the best days of my childhood, and it only cost her about ten bucks. To think only a ten dollar bill could make a kid feel like a million dollars by throwing a little party for a plastic doll which to this day is utterly priceless. I thanked her recently for doing that for me, and 38 years later she was surprised I remembered it. "Of course", I replied." It was the first best day of my life. " Written 6-12-2021 Tender moment from Childhood Malabika Ray Choudhury