Just before Christmas, Ming had an idea for my presents and we went to a bookstore where he asked me to pick out a bunch of books I wanted and then he would pick three while I went outside the shop. He explained that this would mean I would still get a surprise. So I gleefully picked out six books and left the shop.
So on Christmas morning, I opened the first of my three presents, knowing that it would be a book. But it was two books! And each of the presents contained two books, so Ming had bought me all six and that was the surprise. My delight was contagious and he laughed, saying that he’d been worried that I would choose more and he would have to buy all of them when he didn’t have that much money. He wrote a message in each of the books and some of these were funny, some loving, all illegibly beautiful!
Then he said he had another present and told me that he wanted to spend his remaining savings on a holiday for me at a resort north of here – a whole week! I said no way but I would take 3 nights and he made me shake hands. “You can be all by yourself, Mum, without me and Dad and everything, and you can write and chill out. I’ll look after the birds and dogs and you can just relax.”
Tonight – on this first evening of the new year – he turned his consul off and asked me to come into the living room for a talk. I joined him and we had a long, philosophical discussion in which he said, “I just want us to talk to each other more, Mum, get reconnected, so we both don’t get all sad again.” At that moment, I looked out the front window to see the redgum that Ming bought me three years ago flowering for the first time ever. He noticed it too and we exchanged a smile. “Happy New Year, kid,” I said.
The best gift: Ming.
Thank you, Anthony.
WOW! That is all I have.
Lucky me
very lucky you
On, Julie, this one made me cry. I can hardly see to type for the tears. This is a beautiful story about you and your amazing son, Ming. I hope you DO take that vacation. You need it and you certainly deserve it. Have a fabulous time! And pamper, pamper, PAMPER yourself!
Hugs
What a lovely comment – thank you so much. I feel so fortunate. He and I have been fighting a lot in the last year so I am feeling much more positive now. You are very kind.
Don’t you dare cry!
Makes your heart swell when the connection is just so, happy new years Julie Ming and Anthony 🙂 Enjoy your little break, (send Ming for a massage, coz u won’t have one!! ) 🙂 I have Jimmy home too atm so feel free to visit ❤ Love and hugs xx Great gifts Ming !
You never know – might take that massage. Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family Dodsy. Juliexxx
oh what a wonderful boy 🙂
Mostly!
He seems very mature and caring. Great gifts!
I can’t wait to go to the resort!
Heartwarming story Julie.
Ha – just after I posted it the brat told to get the bird out of his sight!
That Boy is a Man.. bless him and bless you too and you had better take your three days somewhere nice or i will come over and drop you there myself! c
I’ll tell him!
Ditto to Onthehomefrontandbeyond! I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award because your blog has inspired me. Thank you! 🙂 Check back at my blog for a badge if you would like to accept. If not, I completely understand that some people have already gotten this and some are just too busy. Thank you for inspiring me anyway!
You are soooooo generous – thankyou and I will reciprocate shortly
Just doesn’t get any more beautiful. Ming is your gift, though he made me cry 😀
Happy New Year, Julie, Ming, and Anthony. ❤
I wish you the same
You have all my thoughts with you and the harpist for for 2013
Thanks Tom
Julie, this post brought tears to my eyes. What a precious, thoughtful, beautiful young man your son is. You are blessed beyond measure for sure.
Happy new year to you and Ming and Anthony and all your lovely feathered friends. 🙂
And to you and your family Elizabeth!
You have a very loving son – a beautiful gift that no amount of money can buy. Enjoy the time out that he has given you.
I sure will – thx!
Julie, the exchanges between you and Ming warm my heart. It is so cool that you both work at keeping your relationship sane. — Take care, Bill
Most of the time – ha!
Julie, I am nominating you for 3 blog awards: Very Inspring, Blog of the Year, and Super Sweet. If you wish to claim them, I am combining “rules” ;). Post the badge, link back to blog which nominated you, state 7 things about you, and list 10-13 other blogs you enjoy reading. http://writersite.org/2013/01/01/beginning-the-year-with-abundance-gratitude/
Luanne
You are gonna be hot potatoed!
Feel quite tearful now. What an amazing child. You should be very proud. Someone with a sense of themselves, at that age – that’s rare. Hugs to you both.
He has too much of a sense of himself sometimes ha!
What special gifts he gave you….books which you love, a get-a-way to read and enjoy and unwind, and wisdom to know that you both needed to begin to heal by communicating more with each other….and of course….his love ….Diane
Thanks Diane!
love, Love, LOVE this! Ming is a wonderful gift.
Yes!
I had tears in my eyes, that was so beautiful. I can only imagine how your heart must have swelled with joy and love. It is an amazing gift for a parent when your child sees beyond themselves and reaches out to you to make your life better. That’s when you know that everything has been worth it, you did a few things right and your baby boy is going to be fine in the world. Happy New Year to you Jules and to Anthony and Ming!!
And to you Laurie!
Ming is such a sweet young man and seems to have wisdom beyond his years. Through your posts I see the best of Ants and you in this son of yours. Give that kid a hug for me would ya?
xo
Diana
I will!
Smart kid.
Usually!
What a bright start to the new year. I do hope you go to the resort and leave your computer at home 🙂
No way!
Julie, …. now I’m going to say … what did I say. Wonderful and just the thought that want to send you away to spend time as you please, what a wonderful thought. Julie, Ming are so proud of you too … there is lot of love in your life, Julie!
I think i should go away for a month – ha!
Good on you – you deserv it. *smile
Lovely. Happy New Year!
You too!
I’m glad you’re reconnecting in a mature way!
Ha!
Perfect! But I think you should take the whole week Julie. You guys can Skype maybe that can help make you feel better and still keep you on holiday. Awesome kid you got!
I can’t leave Gutsy9 for a whole week!
Julie, I love this. I am so glad you have each other.
I am too – thanks Susan
Ming is splendid, but you know that!
Mmmm – mostly!
This was truly beautiful. ❤ What a blessing your son is! Wishing all the best to the three of you.
And you guys too!
Oh Julie ~ this just made me cry happy happy tears ~ You take him up on that offer – and give him a huge kiss for me!! This was a huge uplifter for me today ~ so happy you shared !!! xxooo Robyn
I will do so Robyn!
He is SUCH a neat kid! Thanks for sharing.
He has his moments!
what a beautiful story Julie. you and your son love each other so much. It is so evident that Ming wants things back to normal. Although life will never be as it was, it can still be strong and solid for the two of you as you walk your paths through 2013
Thx for this insight, Terry.
What a beautiful Christmas story! May your new year be blessed.
And yours ++++++++++
Happy New Year my friend!
And to you guys too!
You have raised a great son. I hope you tell him every day. 🙂
And yes, you should have accepted a vacation for a whole week. You need it!
I think we all do!
Oh what wonderful presents from you best gift Ming…………..our children sometimes suprise us not always with gifts but with how loving and caring they can be at times………..
Surprises are so wonderful!
What a lovely, thoughtful son you have.
He is a great kid
I love that kid.
I think I do too!
It is not in a teenagers nature, usually, to want to be so talkative. He is really one of a kind. Magic is in the air!
Yes and for you too!
Fabulous and a powerful post to start 2013 … and Happy New Year!
Thanks Frank!
how lucky we are to know and love him xxxx and so like his father
You just made me cry! In a good way,
What a way to kick off 2013… Ming is a blessing in your house.. yes,.. even when things aren’t looking so good… he is still a blessing to keep you balanced… I love this post… the love of a Son for his Mother…
I feel very fortunate
made me smile and so happy for you! yes he is a special young man and he had the good fortune to be born to a mom and dad who understand how special he is and encourage him. you are a great human being and i am sending you wishes for a better 2013!
I am sending you my best wishes bigtime Sandra!
Oh how wonderful. Happy New Year!
And to you – thank you!
What an amazing young man you raised! Happy New Year!
And you!
Ming is amazing and wonderful…and perhaps his two amazing and wonderful parents had a little influence in that 🙂
If you asked Ming he would take all the credit!
Sounds a lot like my daughter – someone once told her that her mother was clever (after I had a problem-solving brainwave) to which she replied ‘She definitely takes after her daughter!’
Exactly!
What a beautiful boy he is. I’m all choked up.
They have their moments don’t they!
I like the way Ming thinks.
You have the best son too… What a great blessing…
Glad to reconnect with you this year and many thanks for the blog love
•.★♥★Happy New Year to You & Yours!★♥★.•
Eliz
Hooray!! Does your computer work again? I missed you.