C119 A Gift Is A Gift

“I brought all of you gifts today… so what about me?” she asked, pretending to be upset like a spoiled child.

Her grandfather immediately laughed. “Anything you want, my granddaughter. Just say it.” Quietly, she counted in her mind. Minus one.

Her father added, “Speak up while it’s still early. What do you want?” Minus two.

Her grandmother smiled warmly. “What is it? A new car? Just say it. Grandma can still afford a few things.” Minus three.

Alicia finally smiled brightly. “It’s not a big request,” she said. “For tomorrow’s dinner… can you please not judge or criticize my brothers too much?”

She lifted her hand and showed them the matching bracelets. “They’ve already accepted me as their younger sister.” The entire family burst into laughter.

Her father shook his head. “I knew something was going on.”

Her grandfather laughed. “Don’t worry, we weren’t planning to harm them anyway.”

Her grandmother smiled softly. “My child… you went through all this just for such a simple request.” She paused, then added warmly, “But a gift is a gift.”

And with that, the family sat together and shared a peaceful meal filled with laughter.