written by the runner of ちょっと訳して.com
Hi!
Some of you may find it repetitive of me, but
some weeks ago was my birthday.
Although my birthday is not worth celebrating any longer, not even for myself,
still I'm happy when people congratulate me for the day.
Some people even give me a present.
Thank you!
My mother is one of them.
Even lately with her deteriorating health and mental activity restricting her from
going to places at will, she managed to go to the nearest department store in her
unsteady steps, buy me a present, write a message with her trembling fingers in
an extraordinarily out of line style, and give them to me on my birthday.
But that's until last year.
Since the beggining of this year, she started to get lost on her way home
from the nearest station, and also her weakening heart condition has made it
hard for her to walk that distance, especially because it's uphill all the way,
which made me and her doctor both decide to tell her not to go anywhere alone.
Sorry, Mom....
But that also means that I can't get presents from her any longer!!!
(Like it matters.)
It's true it's not a big deal at all, but still it's not a happy thing for me and,
more importantly, her.
So, this year we decided to do it together.
It's rather simple, because her present for me has been fixed for
the past dozen years or so.
It's Feiler handkerchief.
Feiler things used to be NOT for young people, and I didn't like them.
But now they offer things in all different designs and patterns in
all more up-to-date colorings in addition to traditional Feiler patterns.
They have chicks, bears and leopard pattern, and even Hello Kitty
patterns (though this, I don't care for much.)
And the thing is, I have now reached the age that is not too young for
traditional Feiler things. GAA!
Feiler handkerchiefs do cost more than usual ones, but their quality is
so super duper high you won't believe.
After 10 years of use, it still maintains its original strengh.
3 years of use is like nothing has happened to it yet.
Maybe after a dozen years, colors start to fade, and I feel it's probably the time
to stop using as a handkerchief, but just because it's slightly off color,
it doesn't mean that the body has been worn, so it makes a perfect duster.
But using it as a duster can last forever. I don't know when I can discard it.
Perhaps when I'm bored with it?
It's other features besides durability include; high absorbability, great feel
and fast-dry property. It's so impeccable.
Thus, I can never use any handkerchiefs other than Feiler's.
So, I took Mom's hand to the department store, and asked clerks for directions
to the Feiler area, made Mom seated while
I chose the one I wanted this year (since she didn't seem to
understand what she was looking at) and started to look.
A shop lady approached me saying,
"Looking for a present for someone?"
to which I replied,
"Yes, for me."
And I picked one and handed it to her saying,
"Wrap it as a gift, please."
"In a \100 box, or would you prefer a simpler wrapping?"
"In a \100 box."
"Ribbon?"
"Gold."
and took out Mom's wallet from her bag while she's crying
"My wallet is lost (in the 30ｃｍ×45ｃｍ bag)!!"
completed the payment, and went to a tea room.
Now, over the tea cups I handed the pakage to Mom,
had one or two sips, and off I went.
"What? You have a present for me???!!!"
Mom gave it smiling.
"Wow! Really? What is it?"
I went on with my little act as I was opening the wrapping, and
"Oh my God!! Feiler handkerchief?! Oh, it's so pretty!! Thanks, Mom!"
And sipped more tea together.
And hereby this year's present-giving retual completed.
Acting like this is recommendable because it really works in a way
that you make yourself really feel like it's a happy surprise.
But Mom, eating her apple pie, said,
"Thank you for everything including acting."
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