The Goddess Speaks June Dillinger

The best gift that Mom could receive

It was 5:31 p.m. on a weekday a couple days before Christmas. I had been sitting in pau-hana traffic all the way to Aiea, anxious to pick up my 9-year-old son so I could drop him with a friend and get to Waikiki for a party at 7 p.m.

I still had to get Macklin back to town, go home, get ready, drive to Waikiki, look for parking and find the restaurant in the hotel. You know the drill.

Upon arriving at my mother-in-law's home, though, I was greeted by Popo, waving a 3-inch stack of Fun Factory tickets and telling me half in English, half in Chinese that "Boy Boy" wasn't around and that all he'd left behind was a bunch of tickets. She also said he had his wallet with him.

I was simmering. I quickly re-started the car, backed out of the narrow driveway and drove through the neighboring cul-de-sacs, calling his name.

Macklin was nowhere to be found.

Should I leave him? What about the friends who were waiting for him? Did he spend his money? Of course he did, but how much? Why did I ever let him carry $18 anyway? What kind of mother am I? What were the real issues here? I was confused and angry.

At 5:40 I turned back to Popo's house. As I turned the corner, Macklin came riding up on his bicycle with a huge smile on his face. He had barely gotten to the car window before I began the grilling.

Where is your wallet? "It's in my pocket, why?"

How much money do you have left? "Just enough to go back to the Fun Factory and win 12 more coupons for the gifts I have picked out for you and Dad," he said in a very innocent voice. He added that his plan was to come back on the weekend to get the presents and wrap them, just in time for Christmas.

I sigh even as I write this, remembering the tender look on his face. I had nothing to say but a prayer for having such a warm, loving and generous little boy. At that moment I was speechless. My son didn't know it, but he had just given me the best gift ever. I could never have asked for more.