The gift that keeps on giving

This is what mom would have liked for her birthday.

But she settled for a handbag instead. And even bought it herself.

As expected, she got a whole lot of love, blessings and thoughtful gifts from both sets of grandparents.

As also expected, most of you (her "friends") missed her big day.

Now, before you think dad came home empty-handed, I'll have you know he brought home some cheesecake - his favorite dessert.

To give the guy some credit, at least he knows the way to mom's heart is through artery-clogging, cholesterol-raising decadence. Right category, wrong choice, though. Better luck next time, dude.

You can't really blame poor dad for his choice of gift. After all, mom is not known as the Queen of Returns for nothing. So, for the past few years, dad has been playing it safe by not giving her anything.

That's why, it's a little out of character, when he gets swept up in the whole gift-giving frenzy around Christmas time, a festival that holds absolutely no sentimental value for mom. Dad's always home late on Christmas Eve because he's out battling the crowds at Best Buy over pricey computer software for cyber-challenged mom.

There is one token from dad, however, that mom would never dream of returning or exchanging - a warm security blanket that wraps around her like a cocoon and keeps her cozy and contented.

This one is surely for keeps!