Before Justin left for work I had him carry out the plastic bin in which the gift wrap is stored. It is an upright bin, looking almost like a missile. There are rolls of paper in there that might be decades old, or at least 15. Gift bags have sort of taken away the charm of wrapping boxes. Inside this missile are rolls of paper, flattened gift boxes, ribbon (which I no longer use), and has a suspended bucket for bows. Since my back has been giving me trouble, I dreaded standing over the table to wrap, but Judy C. suggested I do it while seated. Hey, I probably would have done that anyway, what was I thinking?? Because Justin was gone all day I could just spread my purchases around me and wrap to my heart's content.
The other night Justin had a blast shopping for gift bags. He does not care one whit for wrapping the old-fashioned way and loves the utility of these bags. But, not just any old bag for his gifts. He showed me those he purchased, telling me which ones reminded him of me ---"Oh, Mom would really like this one!" or "This one looks like Mom!" In our house, even the bags are a gift! He even put a couple back after he found some that had JOY on them, in glitter. He was at the Dollar Tree for the bags, so they didn't set him back too badly.
As I wrapped my presents for him, I caught myself smiling because I knew he would like the things I got him. Plus, the gift wrapping just put me in a happy place. There is kids' paper in the missile, some with Scooby Doo prints. I probably wrapped presents for Timmy with that paper, don't think it's old enough to have been for Justin. I used it today, though, 'cause, why not? Many years ago his father and I would set up a table in a spare room and wrap presents together. Not only for our family but, in those days, for our extended families, when we could travel with wrapped gifts. We'd take an evening, if not more, to get everything wrapped. I sure don't mind doing it alone especially since it's only gifts for Justin. As I wrapped, I smiled!
