When you least expect it.

I was listening to my professor’s personal story earlier on how he makes his wife and children happy. One was by giving them gifts with no reason at all. He’ll just buy his wife her favorite fruit cake and a whole egg pie for his daughter. Giving them gifts on Christmas, Valentine’s or birthdays is cute, but it’s more meaningful when you give them gifts when they least expect it. He said that they will more remember it. He said how he gives his wife yellow roses, out of the blue. And seeing how his wife’s face brighten up with it is a sheer pleasure for him. He even gives a whole cake for government staff as a token for the good service he got from them. Seeing how happy they are is pure bliss for him.

Then, being melodramatic as I am, I suddenly remembered my parents. They’re never been that kind of sweet parents. They always tell me that as much as possible, they will avoid treating me like a baby, because when I grow up, I wouldn’t need that. When I got fever, I am more forced to do the household chores, because they don’t want to tolerate me. When there are school programs, they don’t attend one, because they don’t want me to expect too much. When I’m on top of the class, they will say it’s useless, not unless if I could maintain until college. I haven’t received any gifts for Christmas, on birthdays, on graduations. No feasts. No celebrations.

It only changed when they separated. My stepfather is more festive.

I suddenly feel envy with my professor’s family.

But then, I could do that. I could treat friends like that. I could give my mother a gift when she least expect it. I could insert a money bill on random books to cheer somebody up. I could do something. Then maybe, I could find bliss through those things too.

I now understand the meaning behind it’s better to give, than to receive.