Patience

12. Memories

Our Christmas Eve goes well. Really well. After getting home from the mall we all make dinner.

Family traditions.

I love this part actually. The involvement of us in making something together, cherishing the moment. Sometimes it's hard to believe that I am lucky enough to have a family so precious

After dinner we start opening our gifts. This is the best part which we do every year in our family, we open gifts sitting around the tree together. Might seem a little childish to many, but who cares. I love the way it it.

When my turn comes I start with  mom's gift.

Tearing through the wrapping papers, I find a dress.

I am awestruck... It's a peach pink dress with lacy top and a smooth flared bottom. It's neither too boring nor revealing.

But something out of my league.... Something which I have never worn before.

"Mom this is gorgeous.!! But you buying me this??" I am way more surprised than I sound actually.

My parents have been one of those parents who doesn't support much of a revealing clothes, so this coming from my mum is kind of a huge deal.

" Honey you are in college. A woman now. If you want to enter the corporate world you should start dressing up a bit formal and fitting for occasions. This seemed a perfect beginning. You should have a little fun. Plus you have the new year's party coming up. So why not? " she grins...

I look over to my dad.

Unbelievable. He is smiling too?

The next gift is also from mom again. A beige wedge heel which would go perfect with my dress and an earring.....

" Well these are beginner's heels. It won't be that uncomfortable... Goes well with that dress" she says.

" Aww mum, I love the mmmmm... " I say, while helplessly holding the dress closer to my chest.

Quickly moving over I unwrap Dad's gift.

A laptop???

" Daddd!!! Oh my godddd... I love this... I needed this so muchhhhh...." I squeal making my family laugh. I could grow up to old and I would still act like this over gifts from my parents.

After the natural excitement over the awesome gifts have died down a bit, we all go to bed.

Just as I am about to drift off to sleep there's a slight tap on the door.

" Yes ?? Come in" I say.

Ray enter with a box in his hand....

"Already sleeping big sister?" he smiles.

" Nahhh . Come sit " I sit up. Patting the bed gesturing him to sit.

" Well , I have a gift for you." he holds out the box to me..

I am clearly surprised by his gesture because he never gives me gifts like this. It's not like him. So s crunching up my brows in curiosity, I place the box on top of my lap and start opening it.

First comes out a white hoodie with a quote at the back

Forever YOUNG

I look up to him. Memories of childhood coming to me like wrecking ball tearing up my eyes. This was our forever sibling code.

" Well . I am moving to Boston, as you know. I will finish my senior year there. I don't even know how often we are gonna meet so I got two of these made. You and me. As a... Ummm...memory I guess" he explains.