The Gift from children

                       Luke and Finley go shopping

 

          Luke and Finley needed to go shopping. Their dad, Mason, was turning 28 next week and they needed a Birthday present.

 

         They were able to slip out quietly on a day when their father was away for his job. They figured they could get him a present at a nearby department store.

 

          The aisles were full of sports equipment and hobby kits that would make their dad smile.

 

           “How about this fishing rod?” asked Finley. “It has all the accessories that dad usually tries to catch fish with.”

 

            “That is a pretty good idea, Finley,” said Luke. “He needs something like this. Grandpa McGinnis said that dad  couldn’t  catch a fish unless it jumped out of the water and into his Kreel.”

 

            “How much does it cost?” asked Finley.

 

            “The price tag reads $ 125 dollars.” said Luke.

 

            “Do we have that much?” asked Finley.

 

             “Well, we are a little bit short,” answered Luke. “I have five dollars that Granma McGinness gave me for my birthday.”

 

              “And I have $4.oo from my piggy bank,” said Finley.

 

               “I think that will leave us a little short,” said Luke. ”I think we better look for something else.”

 

               “Dad always said that the only thing he ever wanted from us is a big hug and some kisses,” said Finley.

 

Maybe we can use our money to buy some crayons and construction paper to draw a big heart and tell hm that we love him,” said Finley.

 

               “Good idea,” said Luke. “Let’s do it.”

 

                The two children wandered over to the art supplies aisle and purchased what they needed.

                 “It is a good thing you had the $4.00 from your piggy bank, Finley.” Said Luke. ”Otherwise, we would have been way short on having enough to buy this stuff.”

 

                The children gathered up their art supplies and walked home. Mom was taking care of Adeline and Mavis, so she didn’t see what they brought home. They walked quietly up to Luke’s bedroom and began their project.

 

                 Finley colored a big red heart onto the paper. Then, Luke printed in large letters “Happy Birthday Dad, from Finley and Luke. We love you.”

 

                They folded up the paper up and put it in a large envelope. They would hide it until Dad’s birthday.

                  The day arrived. Dad was off to work early, so the children missed him at breakfast. They went about their day until dad came home for dinner. Mom had a big cake ready for dad, with lots of sugar frosting and lighted candles.

 

                   After dinner and a great piece of cake, Luke handed his dad Mason the envelope.

 

                 Mason opened the envelop with a big smile. Then a funny thing happened. A big tear slid down his cheek. “What’s the matter dad?” asked Luke?.

 

               “It is nothing Luke,” said Mason. “I must have had a speck of dirt  in my eyes,”  he said as he wiped the tears away.

 

                 “Thank you both for this wonderful card and your message. I love you both too.”

                  It was a happy day and Finley and Luke were pleased with their gift. They had made dad happy on his birthday.

 

                  Mason had the card framed and put on his desk at work, where he could see it every day. He was moved by it. He was happy that he had raise two such loving children.

 

                    Luke and Finley had learned that fancy gifts don’t matter much. But, their love and affections for mom and dad were a priceless gift much appreciated by their parents.

 

                    And every year there after they made up a big card on Mom and dad’s birthday and told them they loved them. The cards and words were the most precious things that mom and dad owned.

                                            -30-

                                      (633 words)

                                  Joseph Xavier Martin