A Parent’s Love: Little Blessings, Holiday Traditions, and the Gift That Truly Mattered—How Gratitude, Laughter, and One Scary Taxi Mix-Up Showed the Fierce Heart of Family

Author Emily TaylorReading 9 minViews 1

Parental Love

“Children are the flowers of life,” my mother used to say. And my father, always quick with a joke, would add with a chuckle, “Especially on their parents graves,” alluding to childhood mischief, tantrums, and endless commotion.

I, Emily, let out a weary yet contented sigh as I settled my little ones into a black cab. Lillian was four, and Harry just a year and a half. Theyd had a splendid time at Granny and Grandpasfeasting on biscuits, being enveloped in cuddles, listening to bedtime tales, and delighting in special treats “a touch more than allowed at home.”

I too was truly grateful for the visit. My parents, sisters, and niecesthe embrace of home offered acceptance without questions. Mums cooking was impossible to resist, filling the house with mouth-watering scents. The Christmas tree twinkled, adorned with old and endearingly odd baubles. Dad’s toasts, a bit long-winded perhaps, but heartfelt. Mums giftsthoughtful, practical, always chosen with love.

For a fleeting moment, I felt like a child once more. An impulse overwhelmed me, and I wished simply to say, “Thank you, Mum and Dad, for being there!”

This year, William and I had resolved to give my parents a gift unlike any before. Not out of obligation, but for gratitudefor the joyful childhood, for the care and love that coloured my own and my sisters younger days. For the trust shown when my parents welcomed William, entrusting him with their daughter. For the family’s unwavering support, their belief in our dreams, and their involvement in each turning point.

“I always dreamed of giving my father a car,” William once confessed quietly, “but he never lived to see it.” After a moments pause, his voice grew steadier. “But well make sure your dad gets one!”

I simply smiled back, gazing at my husband with that particular love made up of thanks, respect, and hope for the future.

As planned, I visited my parents with the children in tow. In my handsclear boxes brimming with homemade salads, roast chicken, sweets; all crafted with care. Harry handed Gran a bouquet of red rosesso grand it nearly toppled him over. I hugged Dad, showered him in kisses, and breathed in the familiar fragrance of home.

“And wheres William? Why isnt he with you?” my parents fretted.

Just then my phone rang. “Thats William,” I grinned. “Hes running a bit late, says we should get started without him.”

The children were already dashing towards the parlour, where an enormous Christmas tree soared, bright with baubles. Boxes and presents, all tagged carefully as from “Father Christmas Himself,” sat piled beneath.

Lillian, naturally, received the lions share. In one boxa magical Cinderella coach. In another, a pair of enchanting white ponies with golden manes. There were even “crystal” slippers for her, the princess herself. Then came a weightless gown with a full skirt, a pair of elegant gloves scattered with sparkling stones, jewellery, a magic mirror, childrens perfume, crafts kits, and mountains of books

Harry received a grand, multi-storey car parkshiny little cars rode the lift up, zoomed delightedly down twisting ramps. Then came a giant dinosaur with glowing eyes, a bow and arrow, a soft play ball pit and sacks of colourful balls, a galactic blaster that shimmered in every hue, and of course, stacks of colouring books, pencils and magical felt-tip pens.

And I wasnt forgotten! In a tiny box tied with a ribbon, nestled a pair of gold earrings studded with gems, sparkling in the trees glow.

On the sideboard, pride of place went to my favourite cakeHoneycomb Crunchladen with nuts, raisins, glacé cherries, and chocolate shavings. Just like when I was a girl.

Presents for William waited under the tree too, strictly forbidden to be opened before he arrived.

I gathered the children and handed out our own gifts: French perfume for Mum, a uniquely woven silver bracelet for Dad. Lillian solemnly presented a portrait of Grandma and Grandpaa tad humorous, more than a little like a “Wanted” poster, but drawn with such heartfelt love that everyone laughed and grew misty-eyed.

But the greatest gift was still to come!

Half an hour later, after the first enthusiastic toasts, just as everyone was idly admiring their gifts, I popped in my earrings. They sparkled in my ears, lighting up my happy eyes.

Lillian observed me keenly and asked, “Mummy, did you put those earrings on just so Id notice and tell you youre pretty?”

“Indeed I did,” I answered honestly.

“Youre beautiful!” Lillian declared seriously. “And me too! And Daddy! And even Harry!” Laughter echoed through the room.

“Where can our favourite son-in-law have gone? He really ought to show his face by now!”

At that moment, headlights beamed through the window, the gate creaked open, and a large white car, brand new and gleaming, rolled into the drive, horns blaring merrily.

Everyone rushed outside in a flurry, laughter mingling with the brisk winter air.

There, by the gate, stood a shining new car, chrome flashing in the lantern light, balloons bobbing from the mirrors and bonnet.

William, composed and quietly beaming, stepped from behind the wheel, walked to Dad, and placed the keys in his hand. “For youfrom the heart,” he said.

He hugged himnot for show, but with steadfast affection and respect. Dad took a step back, a dazed smile on his face. “What are you two playing at? I cant possibly” his voice trembled as if he hardly dared believe it.

But he was gently led to the driving seat. He ran his palm over the steering wheel, eyes sweeping over the dashboardlit up in a space-age glow. The fresh leather interior whispered of adventures to come.

Dad dabbed his eyesthose eyes that so rarely weep. “Well, I never” he managed at last. Then stood, embracing everyoneme, William, the children, and Mumin turn.

The holidays were a triumph. Those two days brightened every heart, young and old. Yet, as ever, the time came to return home.

Next morning, William left for work. My father drove him to the train station in his new car, hands steady on the wheel, a proud spring in his step as if hed shed years of worry overnight. I watched them go, smilingour present truly had a life of its own.

By afternoon, I packed our things and called for a black cab. The suitcases felt lighter than on the way up, but our hearts were far heavier with contentment. Lillian gave Grandma one last hug, Harry waved to Grandpa, clutching a toy car tight in his little fist.

We climbed into the cab. The journey was calm; the children, content and full from yesterdays feast, soon drifted off, snuggled together in the back seat.

On the way, I asked the driver to pull up at a little roadside shop. “Just a moment,” I said. “Need to grab nappies and a bottle of water.”

Five minutes later, I stepped out, climbed back inand my heart plummeted.

There were no children!

At the front, the driver was chatting amiably to a young woman. I stared, baffled.

“Pardon me I began, bewildered.

The woman spun round. “Whos this? What are you doing here?!”

The driver shrugged. “No idea! Who are you, love? Whats going on?”

“Are you insane? Where are my children?!”

“You creep!” the girl shrieked at the driver. “So youve got kids now, have you?!”and began smacking him with her handbag.

“How dare you let anyone climb into your cab?!” I yelled, my voice rising above the chaos. “Where are my children?!”

For a good three or four minutes, mayhem reigned inside that caba wild tangle of shouts and accusations, arms flailing, everyone hurt by the madness of it all.

All at once, the door opened. A man poked his head in and said calmly, “Excuse me, missyour cabs just a little way up the road.”

The world paused. I slammed the door with a scowl, dashed ahead to an identical pale cab just up the street.

Flung the door open.

My children were dozing on the back seat, angelic and undisturbed.

Relief flooded me in a great overwhelming wave. I slipped inside, snapped the door shut, and growled to the driver, “Lets go.”

Then out of nowhere came laughterreal, shaken, releasing. The driver joined in, wiping his eyes, plainly relieved that it was only a tale to be retold, rather than a tragedy to endure.

Glancing at my peacefully sleeping children, I suddenly saw the truth: parents in everyday life may appear gentle, tired, a little forgetful. But let danger so much as glance our wayand we turn into lions.

No hesitation, no second-guessing, no fear. Just the certaintywe must protect.

Thats how love works. Quiet as long as all is well, invincible when it comes to our children.

The Anniversary Invitation Was a Trap… But the Gift I Brought Changed Everything When I received the invitation, I read it twice, then a third time—almost as if the words might reshape themselves to reveal the real story. “Wedding Anniversary. We would be delighted if you could join us.” So polite. So polished. So… not her style at all. I’ve never had trouble being a guest at someone else’s celebration—even when their happiness is built on top of my silence. Yes, I knew the man by her side tonight once stood beside me. But no, I didn’t feel humiliated by being ‘replaced’. You can’t replace a woman—you simply leave one version of yourself behind and choose another. But the reason the invitation unsettled me wasn’t the past. It was the tone. As if someone was inviting me, not as a friend… but as a member of the audience. Yet I accepted. Not to prove anything, but because I wasn’t afraid. I am the kind of woman who doesn’t walk into a room to compete with other women. I walk in to reclaim my own space. It took me time to prepare, but not because of my dress. Because of my decision of how I wanted to look in their eyes. I didn’t want to be ‘the wounded one’. I didn’t want to be ‘the proud one’ either. I wanted to be just right—the kind of woman no one can use as the backdrop for their self-assurance. I chose a champagne-coloured dress—simple, without unnecessary embellishment. My hair was swept up—not playfully, but confidently. My makeup was soft, natural. I looked in the mirror and told myself: “Tonight, you are not here to defend yourself. Tonight, you’re here to observe.” When I entered the hall, the light was warm—chandeliers everywhere, laughter, glass after glass clinking. There was music that made people smile, even if they weren’t happy. She saw me instantly. She couldn’t not. Her eyes narrowed for a split second, then widened—rehearsed joy, dressed up as ‘good manners’. She approached, glass in hand. She kissed my cheek lightly, but didn’t truly touch my skin. ‘What a surprise to see you!’ she said, a little too loudly. I knew the game. When you say something just loud enough, you want everyone to hear how ‘gracious’ you are. I smiled softly. ‘You invited me. So I came.’ She gestured toward a table. ‘Come with me, I’ll introduce you to a few people.’ That’s when I saw him. He was standing by the bar, laughing with two men—laughing the way he used to, back when he could still be gentle. For a moment, my heart reminded me it has a memory. But I had something stronger than memory: Clarity. He turned. His gaze landed on me, as if a curtain had been pulled aside. No guilt. No courage—just that awkward recognition: ‘She’s here. She’s real.’ He walked over. ‘Glad you made it,’ he said. Not ‘sorry’. Not ‘how are you’. Just a sentence for the sake of manners. His wife jumped in immediately: ‘I insisted!’ she smiled. ‘You know me—I’m all about… grand gestures.’ Grand gestures. Yes. She loved putting on a show. Loved looking good. Loved being at the centre. And above all, she loved proving “there’s no problem”. I said nothing. Just looked at them and nodded. They sat me at a table close to theirs—just as I expected. Not far, not comfortably—on display. Around me, people laughed, toasted, took endless photos, while she—she floated around like the perfect hostess from a magazine. Sometimes her eyes flicked to me, as if checking whether I was crumbling. I didn’t crumble. I’m a woman who has survived quiet storms. After you’ve walked through them, loud people start to seem… silly. Then came the moment she had orchestrated. The MC stepped onto the stage, telling everyone how ‘strong the couple was’, ‘how inspiring their love is’, and how it’s ‘proof that true relationships conquer all’. Then, in front of everyone, she took the microphone. ‘I’d like to say something special,’ she declared. ‘Tonight, someone very important is here… because some people teach us to truly appreciate love.’ Eyes turned to me. Not everyone knew the story, but everyone sensed this was THAT moment. She smiled sweetly. ‘I’m so happy you’re here.’ I heard them whisper—like needles, exactly what she wanted. She wanted to set me up as ‘the past’, sitting meekly, clapping for the present. Her husband stood there like a statue. He didn’t even look at me. And then I stood up. No performance. No theatrics. I simply and calmly stood, straightened my dress and took a small gift box from my bag. The room hushed, not from fear, but from curiosity. People adore other people’s tension. I approached them. She was ready—expecting some polite, pitiful sentiment: ‘I wish you happiness’ and ‘all the best’. She wasn’t going to get that. I took the microphone, but didn’t clutch it tightly. I held it the way you hold truth: gently. ‘Thank you for inviting me,’ I said quietly. ‘Sometimes, it is brave to invite the past to your celebration.’ She smiled nervously. The audience shifted in their seats. ‘I brought a gift,’ I continued, ‘and I won’t keep you long.’ I handed the box to her. Directly to her. Her eyes lit up—not with joy, but with suspicion. She opened it. Inside was a small black USB stick and a folded sheet of paper. Her face froze. ‘What is this…?’ she tried to ask, her voice thinner than before. ‘A memory,’ I said. ‘A very precious one.’ He stepped forward. I saw his jaw clench. She unfolded the note. She read, and colour slowly drained from her cheeks. There was no need for me to shout the truth. It wrote itself across her face. Because the note held a short message—not long, but precise. Extracts of conversations. Dates. A few facts. Nothing crude. Nothing low. Just the truth. And a single sentence at the end: ‘Keep this anniversary as a mirror. In it, you’ll see how it all began.’ People could feel it—nothing is louder than suspicion in a room full of luxury. She tried to smile. Tried to joke. But her lips trembled. I looked at her calmly. Not like an enemy. Like a woman who simply reached the end of a lie. Then I turned to him. ‘I won’t say more,’ I said. ‘Just this: I wish you could be honest, just once. If not with anyone else… then at least with yourself.’ He was struggling to breathe. I knew him. When you corner him, he shrinks. The crowd wanted a spectacle, but I didn’t give them one. I handed the microphone back to the host. Smiled softly and nodded my head. And walked toward the exit. I could hear chairs moving behind me. Someone asking, ‘What just happened?’ Someone else saying, ‘Did you see her face?’ But I didn’t turn. Not because I didn’t care. But because I wasn’t there to fight anymore. I was there to close a door. Outside, the air was cold and pure, like the truth after a long lie. I glimpsed my reflection in the entrance glass. I didn’t look like a loud victor. I looked… at peace. And for the first time in a long time, I felt not hatred, nor sadness, nor jealousy— I felt free. My gift wasn’t revenge. It was a reminder— that some women don’t shout. Some women simply walk in, lay the truth on the table, and leave like queens. ❓What would you have done in my place—would you have kept quiet ‘for the sake of peace’, or let the truth do the talking?

There’s Still Work to Do at Home… Granny Val struggled to open the garden gate, hobbled to the door, wrestled with the old, rusted lock, then stepped into her chilly, empty cottage and sank onto a chair beside the cold hearth. The house felt abandoned. She’d only been away three months, but cobwebs now draped the ceilings, the ancient chair creaked mournfully, and the wind howled down the chimney—the house greeted her crossly: Where’ve you been, mistress? Who did you leave us with? How will we manage through winter? “I’m here now, my dear—just let me catch my breath…and soon I’ll have us warmed up again.” Just a year ago, Granny Val bustled about the old cottage—whitewashing, tidying, fetching water; her slight, nimble figure bowed before icons, busied at the stove, and flitted through the orchard to plant, weed, and water everything. The house rejoiced with her, the floorboards creaking under her light steps, doors and windows flinging open at a touch of her work-roughened hands, and the old range baking gloriously plump pies. Val and her cottage were happy together. She’d buried her husband early, raised three children—educated them all and sent them out into the world. One son captained a freighter, another became an Army Colonel, both living far off and rarely visiting. The youngest, her daughter Maureen, stayed in the village as head agronomist, always busy, stopping in on Sundays with fresh pies to nourish her mother’s soul—then another week passed with no visits. Her comfort was her granddaughter, sweet Susie, practically raised at Gran’s knee. And what a beauty Susie grew up to be! Big grey eyes, masses of golden hair tumbling to her waist, as bright as polished wheat—just blinding the local lads with her looks and polished posture, rare for a country girl. Granny Val had been attractive in her day too, but if you put an old photo of her beside Susie’s, you’d see a shepherd girl and a queen. On top of that, Susie was clever—she’d finished Agricultural College in the nearest city, returned to work in the local council office as an accountant, and married the village vet. The young couple were awarded a brand-new house through a government programme—a solid, handsome brick place, practically a mansion by village standards. There was only one thing: While Gran’s old cottage was surrounded by a lush, flower-filled garden, Susie’s new house boasted just three scraggly plants. Susie, despite being raised in the country, wasn’t suited for gardening—her granny had always protected her from drafts and hard work. Then Susie had little Jack, and there was simply no time for gardening at all. Susie began inviting Gran to live with her: “Come live with us, Gran—it’s a big, warm house. No more tending fires!” Turning eighty, Gran finally relented—her legs, once so spry, now tired and unreliable, as if the years had been waiting for this milestone to catch up with her. She spent a few months at Susie’s, but soon heard: “Gran, I love you, you know that, but why are you just sitting here? You’ve always been up and about, keeping house, and here you are, just… settled. I was hoping for your help since I want to start managing my own home.” “But my dear, I can’t—my legs don’t work now, I’m old…” “Hmph. Funny, you suddenly got old when you moved in with me.” In the end, Gran, unable to fulfil their hopes, was gently sent back to her own cottage. Her disappointment in failing Susie weighed heavily—she struggled to cross from bed to table, let alone to her beloved church. Father Brian, her faithful parish priest, began coming to her, helping with chores, bringing food, chopping firewood, and checking on her well-being. He even wrote addresses on the envelopes when her shaky handwriting failed her. The letters to her sons always boasted in bold, trembling script, “I’m doing very well, my dear sons. God has blessed me with everything!” Yet the ink stains betrayed her tears. Neighbours tried to help, and Maureen, still tirelessly working as village agronomist, did what she could, but soon tragedy struck—Susie, who’d had stomach trouble, was diagnosed with untreatable lung cancer. Within six months, she was gone. Her husband became lost in grief, and four-year-old Jack was left uncared for—hungry and unwashed. Maureen took him in, but her demanding work left her little time, and soon social services began discussing sending Jack to a residential school. Refusing to let this happen, Granny Val arrived, ferried by her burly neighbour Pete on his old motorbike with sidecar: “I’ll take Jack to live with me.” “But Mum, you can barely walk! How will you cope with a child?” “As long as I’m alive, Jack isn’t going to any institution,” Gran said firmly. Even the neighbours were shocked: “She must be losing her mind—she can barely manage herself, and now she’s taken on a child!” Father Brian feared the worst when he visited—but found Jack clean and smiling, listening to fairy tales on Gran’s ancient record player, and Granny Val bustling happily around the kitchen, baking cheese pastries, her old legs moving nimbly once again. “Wait a tick, Father—I’ve just got some pastries in the oven for Mrs Alexander and young Tommy…” Father Brian returned home, amazed and shared the story with his wife, who pulled out a family notebook and read him an old story of her great-grandmother: bedridden and near death, she found new life when a newborn great-grandchild arrived in the house and postponed dying for another decade just to help raise her beloved great-granddaughter. And, as she finished the tale, Mrs Alexander smiled at her husband and said, “It’s just as the old song goes: ‘It’s not time to die yet—we’ve still got things to do at home!’”

“YOU’RE TOO LATE, MARINA! THE PLANE’S GONE! AND WITH IT, YOUR JOB AND YOUR BONUS! YOU’RE FIRED!” — HER BOSS SHOUTED DOWN THE PHONE. MARINA STOOD IN THE MIDDLE OF A TRAFFIC JAM, STARING AT THE OVERTURNED CAR SHE’D JUST PULLED A STRANGER’S CHILD FROM. SHE LOST HER CAREER, BUT FOUND HERSELF. Marina was the model corporate high-flyer—a regional director at 35, tough, efficient, always on call, her life scheduled to the minute in her Google calendar. That morning was the biggest deal of her year—a contract with a Chinese firm. She needed to be at the airport by 10:00. Leaving with time to spare (she was never late), she sped down the motorway in her new SUV, rehearsing her pitch. Suddenly, a battered old Ford ahead skidded, hit the verge, and tumbled into a ditch, landing wheels-up. Marina slammed on the brakes—calculating instantly: “If I stop, I’ll be late. Millions on the line. They’ll destroy me.” Other drivers slowed, took photos, drove on. She checked her watch—8:45. Time slipping away. Foot on the accelerator, she almost swerved round the forming jam, when she saw a child’s gloved hand pressed to the window of the upturned car. Marina cursed, hit the wheel, and pulled onto the shoulder. Running through the snow in stilettos, the smell of petrol filled the air. The driver—a young man—was unconscious, head bloody. In back, a five-year-old girl trapped and sobbing. “Shh, it’s okay, sweetheart!” Marina shouted, yanking at the jammed door. When it wouldn’t budge, she smashed the window with a stone, glass nicking her face, scratching her designer coat. She pulled the girl free, then—with help—got the driver out just before the car ignited. Shaken, tights torn, hands trembling and face covered in soot, she sat in the snow, clutching the girl. Her boss’s number flashed again. “Where are you?! Check-in closes in minutes!” “I can’t make it, Mr. Harrison. There’s been an accident. I was helping survivors.” “I don’t care! You’ve blown the deal! You’re finished! Out of the industry, do you hear!” She hung up. The ambulance arrived. The paramedic said, “They’ll live. You’re their guardian angel—without you, they’d have burned.” The next day, Marina woke up jobless. Her boss had kept his word—besides firing her, he blacklisted her in their tight-knit field. Doors kept slamming. She slid into depression, financial pressure mounting. “Why did I stop?” she wondered each night. “If I’d just driven on, I’d be in Shanghai sipping champagne. Now I have nothing.” A month later her phone rang—an unknown number. “Marina? It’s Andrew—the man from the Ford. You saved us. Please, we’d like to see you.” Visiting their council flat, Andrew (in a back brace), his teary wife, and their daughter Dasha (with a crooked angel drawing for Marina, black hair just like hers) offered her all they had: tea and gratitude. “I don’t know how to thank you,” Andrew said. “We’ve no money… but if you ever need anything…” “I need a job,” Marina admitted ruefully. Andrew had an idea—his mate, a quirky Yorkshire farmer, was looking for a manager—not mucking out barns, but sorting paperwork, grants, logistics. Modest wages, room included. Desperate, Marina went to see. Gone were the marble desks and Armani suits—just a battered desk, jeans, and wellies. She got to work—streamlining systems, securing subsidies, finding new markets. Within a year, the farm turned a profit. And she discovered a new peace—fresh bread, a loyal dog, no more layers of fake makeup or backstabbing games. For the first time, she felt alive. One day, a city delegation came to source farm produce for top restaurants—her former boss among them. He barely concealed his scorn, sneering at her weathered face and old jeans. “Well, Marina? Queen of muck, are we? You could have stayed on the board. Regret playing the hero?” She smiled, feeling nothing but indifference. “No, Victor. I saved two lives that day—and a third: my own. I saved myself from ever becoming you.” He harrumphed and left. She headed to the barn to greet a newborn calf, its nose nuzzling her palm. That evening—barbeque with Andrew, Lena, and Dasha—now close friends. Under vast stars invisible in the city, Marina knew she was finally where she belonged. Moral: Sometimes, losing everything is how you find what really matters. Career, money, status—they can all go up in smoke in an instant. But compassion, a life saved, and a clear conscience stay with you forever. Don’t be afraid to change course when your heart says “stop”—it might just be your true turning point.