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Lisa's |
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I wonder if there’s a statute of
limitations on gifts. Can someone
legally be sued after a seven year time period for failing to bring a present to
a birthday party? I’d like to
settle this one in a court of law. Crime:
Pre-meditated stinginess fostered by exercising bad manners.
Plaintiff: Lisa Laird. Defendant:
Charlie Donohue. That’s right.
Charlie Donohue willingly accepted the invitation to my long ago Sweet
Sixteen birthday party and rang the doorbell empty-handed.
Not that bringing a gift was a boldly documented prerequisite on the
invitation, but there’s a lot to be said for following tradition. And it’s not that he offered any type
of valid, or even far-fetched excuse, because he didn’t make a half-hearted
attempt to do so. He wished me a
happy birthday and then guiltlessly joined the other guests.
I liked Charlie and was glad he was there to share in the festivities,
although I thought it was extremely odd that he did what he did.
And what he failed to do. Addressing the puzzling issue, even to
myself, wasn’t worth the time; I had a party to host.
A friend named Hugh was unable to attend, but gave me a belated gift a
few days later, anyway…in front of Charlie.
What do you think Charlie’s reaction was? Instead of feeling uneasy about his own behavior, he
immediately told me to tear off the paper because he was curious as to what it
was! Imagine that scenario if you
can. I wouldn’t think of attending a special
occasion honoring a friend and/or loved one and not acknowledging the event with
a tangible form of thoughtfulness. We
are told, “it’s the thought that counts,” rather than the gift itself.
There are spoiled brats who place a price tag on everything and the
monetary value beats sentiment. Greed
challenges generosity to make better offers.
A well-intentioned gift is a cherished one, regardless of the market
value. A touching poem handed to me in a frame
was one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received.
However, there are others that are better left wrapped and undelivered.
Not because they’re inexpensive or simple, or even basically useless. Their offensive natures stem from the obviously intentional
lack of thought and consideration on the giver’s behalf. Many years ago, I dated a guy who gave me
a tacky plastic handbag for Christmas and an unappetizing cake that his mother
had baked. He handed me the two
items when I opened my front door and then left in a hurry, claiming he had
errands to run. Since I was certain
the plastic piece of junk was a bad joke, I tore the cake apart, digging for
some kind of buried treasure. Preferably
a gold ankle bracelet, the craze at the time, which he knew I desired. The only surprise I got was that it was
no joke. Furious, I told him the
gift was an insult and he knew it. In
this case, receiving nothing couldn’t have been worse.
I’d rather have someone forget me indifferently than remember me
unfavorably. As for the guy,
I forgot him unfavorably. Not too long ago, I was looking at the
old photos I saved of Charlie Donohue and the rest of the gang at my memorable
Sweet Sixteen party. Charlie was
well dressed, well groomed and well educated.
We had known each other for several years and gone out with a group of
friends on various occasions. For
the life of me, I can’t figure out why he arrived at such a gathering with
nothing, not so much as a poorly folded construction paper card.
To this day, I’d like to know his reasoning behind bearing the
nonexistent, but most memorable gift. Maybe
he figured his glowing presence was present enough.
And cheaper than the plastic handbag, if that’s possible.
Forget due process. Verdict: Guilty as charged.
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