Money???

     "I suppose it is the trend now," Aunt Sophie says.    

     Her summoning me to her house came in the middle of the week.  My cousin Rachael's wedding invitation arrived the same day.  The note Rachael and Brad included startled both families.  In lieu of traditional wedding gifts, the couple preferred to receive money, the note said. 

     Aunt Sophie sips her coffee from across the  breakfast table soliciting my thoughts over the brazen request.  "Money???"

     "Times change,"  I say and dash cinnamon into my cup while overriding my sweet tooth's eyeing of a second danish.   "Did I ever tell you about the pink-bowed porcelain cat someone gave Tom and me?"

     She blushes over having expressed her shock so strongly. "So, it's what they are doing now?  And that's okay with you?"

    "Apart from figuring out how much to give," I say.  "Yeah, actually I like the idea."

     She picks up a cheese-filled, the one I still want.  I let it pass.  She says, "Well, I don't."

     I remind her how many people run straight to the appliance section of Sears when it comes to shopping for wedding gifts.  Top runners lately are the Foreman grill and  one of those multi-fangled coffeemakers.   Rachael doesn't seen to fit either type.  And then I mention  the awful registry gifts at the upscale stores.

    "Half the time when I go to buy a place setting, the person who handles the registry is on break.  So I end up waiting."

     Aunt Sophie laughs in appreciation.  "You are right about that.  I guess it will take the guesswork out of shopping and save some time to boot."

     I help her stack dishes in the sink before I take off to run errands.

     It is Saturday and the traffic is still light.  I reflect on the snafu of gift giving. 

     How many times did I buy what I think is a really great gift for someone and learn later that I was mistaken? How often did I undo a  beautiful wrapping to discover that I have to remember that it is the thought that counts?  I stop at an office supply store to pick up paper.

     Searching for the best buy, I recall that Tom and I have a Do Not Buy For Me List. His taste in jewelry for me is much bolder than I am.  He finds my taste in the casual shirt  for him bordering on, well never mind.  I go to the clerk's desk to ring up my purchases and remember the drawer full of gift watches I have.  I look like a watch person, but I am not a watch person.  It is the first thing I peel off when I get home.  Yes, this  idea of giving money as a present could work for me.

     An hour later, I  key my front door.  The home phone is already ringing.  Aunt Sophie explains that she  has mulled it over and has changed her mind about Rachael and Brad's money present.

     "Great," I say.  "What made you decide that?"

     "I guess it was your telling me about that white cat with the pink bow wedding present of yours."

     I slip off my watch. "Yeah?  Funny thing, I can't think who gave me that gift." 

     "I'm embarrassed to tell you, dear.  Your Uncle Jed picked it out.  And I said to him, 'Are you sure?' I let him talk me into the silly thing!  WE gave you that horrid cat!"