Happiness

Since I left home for the university in the year 2009, I hardly go home. At times, once in two or three years. the longest time I've spent at home with my mum is three weeks. It's either I spend one week or two weeks. Why I could spend three weeks with her last year was as a result of her health challenge. She had a surgery and I had to be there to care for her.

While I was helping her to arrange her stuff in her wardrobe, I noticed her little jewelry box that I used to admire when I was younger. I opened it and discovered it was empty I only found a beautiful new wristwatch that has never been used. I asked her about all the beautiful jewelry that used to be inside the box. She said she had given it all out and kept the wristwatch because it was a gift I bought it for her. I was so surprised and then I remembered I gave the watch to her about five years ago during her birthday.

I asked why she never used it and she just smiled and She promised to use it when she gets better. I didn't ask her more questions because I didn't want to stress her.
I thought about it thoroughly and I arrived at the conclusion that material gifts are not really what my mum needs right now. All the children she raised are all grown and far away from her. I believe she needs us more and I had the urge to try to be physically present as much as I can and to do things that can bring happiness to her face and make her laugh hard.

My plan for my minimalist mum's next birthday is to surprise her in company of my siblings without letting her know.
I just want us to burst in on her with tambourine and trumpet singing happy birthday song and spending time with her, laughing eating, making merry, taking pictures and making memories that will last for a long time.

I love my mum so much and I intend to make her very happy. She never asks for anything, she's always giving till date and I know no amount of money or gift can make her happier than our presence once in a while.

This is my response to The Minimalist Kiss prompt for the week; What do you feel is the best birthday gift to give a fellow minimalist? do you have a personal experience that enforces this choice?
Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate you.
Yours truly, @aunty-tosin 💕💕