As I transition through my Divorce from Husband #2, I’ve been thinking about the past. Not the who did what to whom past. Rather the richness of my life over the last 11 years. The gift of memories Husband #2 has given me.
For Son #1’s graduation gift I struggled with what to give him. I didn’t want to present him with a computer that would be obsolete after 5 years of use. I didn’t want to give him a piece of furniture that would die a slow death from pizza stains and beer spills. He doesn’t wear a watch and has no use for cufflinks.
I want to give him something that will last a lifetime.
An experience. A gift of memories. A story he can tell when he’s old and gray.
I have settled on a trip. A trip that he can take with serious Girlfriend #1.
Son #1 and Girlfriend #1 may end up being together forever, or they may end up going their own ways after a while. It really doesn’t matter at this point. They are young and in love and see the world in each others’ eyes. They are at a stage where life and commitments and kids and careers are storms approaching on the horizon but not quite here. Yet.
Their biggest concerns are test scores and part-time job schedules and how to beat the next boss on Borderlands 2.
I don’t know what Son #1 will choose for his gift of travel destination. I only know that he and Girlfriend #1 will create memories from wherever they go.
And I will have given him the best thing of all…a story that starts with the words, “remember that time we….”
The gift of memories.
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