Great Expectations Greeting Card

by Elouise

flower-card-from-sherry-p1180692

When our son and daughter were growing up, I salted away every decent piece of artwork they produced in any moment of their young lives. For future enjoyment, of course!

So last night our very adult daughter, here for the week, pulled the above magnificent work of art from a box. It was the front of a greeting card, probably dating back to 1st or 2nd grade. Huge, bright and cheery — as you can see for yourself.

When she opened it, she discovered the following message inside.

Dear Mother,

On this, your special day, please forgive me for the times I forget to say, “I love you.”

Love,

Only we’re not there yet. Daughter didn’t write this card. All she did was print her name at the end, and put together the cheery flower on the front of the card.

Daughter’s teacher, most likely a mother herself, had kindly printed this message in clear grade-school letters. Then she thoughtfully mimeographed (Xeroxed for those who don’t remember) the text on a full sheet of paper. One for each child in the class. With space at the bottom for each child to print his or her name. And paste this contrite plea on the inside page of the card. Brilliant!

I laughed until my belly ached. This beats all. Nothing like forgiveness in advance, and a special Mother’s Day card designed to serve in perpetuity any day at any time, just when needed. Most convenient.

Think about it. It’s like absolution in advance for every time you __________ (fill in your own blank)!

Just for today, this is my favorite Mother’s Day/Valentine’s Day/Thanksgiving Day/Christmas/Birthday card for this year and forever.

Hoping you have a happy Valentine’s Day, full of heartwarming moments and memories.

Elouise ♥

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 14 February 2017
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Expectation