Happy Birthday

All kids love their birthdays, and next to Christmas, it's their favorite day of the year.

When my grandson's fifth birthday was coming up, he did what any kid his age would do--he asked, "Grandma, what are you getting me for my birthday?"

I am seldom at a loss for words, and I looked at my adorable first grandson and blurted out, "Anything your little heart desires."

He had me. He could have put a collar around my neck and lead me with a leash, and he did--right to the toy store.

At the entrance to the toy store, he reminded me in a voice that attracted eighteen people, "Remember, grandma, you said I could have anything my little heart desires." I laughed with the rest of the crowd who hoped to witness this memorable event.

He was up and down all the aisles examining every toy that caught his eye. I mentally calculated the damage to my checkbook, somewhat in shock at the price of certain toys. No longer could I buy a simple box of Lincoln Logs or a model airplane kit.

"Grandma, " came a voice from another aisle, "I found something my little heart desires." I went, along with a few other curious people, to inspect the chosen toy. It was a beauty, an $86 electronic thing guaranteed to make him the most popular kid on the block. I had no idea what it did, and neither did he, but it was colorful and intrigueing. "Keep looking," I said. A few people nodded in agreement.

Ten minutes later I heard that familiar voice again. "Oh, grandma, I found something else my little heart desires." Four other people beat me to the aisle, and two little boys said, "wow" and "awesome."

I cringed at the sight of the ugly, huge, plastic monster from outer space, done in shades of slimy green, black and purple. I knew his mother would not be thrilled, but he liked it and the price was right at $29.95. He lovingly cradled his arms around it all the way to the check-out stand and I figured it could be worse, but he loved it, and it was everything his little heart desired.