Say What?: Week 5 a childhood memory a4a52weekchallenge

Balloons

Some people love them.

Other people hate them.

But as a child (as old as 16) balloons meant your birthday was here. My parents would do this scavenger hunt thing that was awesome. We would wake up to a balloon in our room. It had a clue on it. Sometimes the balloon clues would lead to a small present and sometimes to another clue.

I didn't realize it then, but my parents put in a tremendous amount of effort creating these scavenger hunts. Clues which led to other clues which led to more clues and then at last a present. It was so hard to figure out the clues sometimes and you never passed a clue to get to another. Just the thought that goes into this seems astounding. And as a mom to three now it is just unrealistic that they did this!

But one year, my 16th birthday, they outdid themselves. They did a "balloon bouquet" with clues, and I received them in the car. On this journey my parents drove me from location to location that the clues led to. My school, the hospital I was born at, and many other locations. They even cued the music in the car to fit the location and event in my life. And at each location I received a small present and each present matched the location as well.

I will be honest, I do not remember what the "big present" was that year, but I remember the journey. My parents worked so hard for that journey. I hope my parents know that even if that journey didn't seem like it excited me it did. I remember it like yesterday, and I wish I could live in that moment of loving joy.

It is only now as a parent myself that I realize what a sacrifice that was. Of their time, of their sleep, of their resources, to be that tuned in to your child on their birthday. The gift I still have from that day, the gift that helps me remember their love daily is a bracelet that they are for me. It lives in my jewelry box. It's elastic has worn as it is 19 years old, but here a week out from my birthday, one that was a hard one for me (and I can't tell you why) I am grateful for this simple reminder of my parents love for me. Thank you mom and dad for the living memories you gave me!