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101 Word Short Stories

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Mother’s Gift

September 1, 2024 10 Comments

By Teodora Vamvu

I fix the misshapen star to the top of the emaciated tree. Multicolored tinsel catches the lights pouring from the living room window as Baby Jesus and cookie-shaped ceramic trinkets dangle precariously from its branches. It looks like a monument of festive bad taste, a Grinch’s dream or a Southern Belle’s worst nightmare. Both Dad and I smile.

“I have something for you, from your mother.”

He hands me a gift wrapped in crinkled silver paper, transparent tape barely holding. I rip it open to reveal the ugliest Christmas sweater.

Oh, Mom. You might be gone, but your humor lives on.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lian says

    September 4, 2024 at 9:03 am

    Cute ?

    Reply
    • Lian says

      September 4, 2024 at 9:04 am

      That ? Was an emoticon, actually, ha ha! Such an automatic thing to do

      Reply
      • Teodora Vamvu says

        September 5, 2024 at 10:43 am

        Yes, I have encountered this problem before, trying to use an emoticon only for it to show up like a question mark, ha ha. Thank you kindly!

        Reply
  2. Lisa H. Owens says

    September 4, 2024 at 4:21 pm

    I really liked this one. A planned-ahead gift from beyond the grave.

    Reply
    • Teodora Vamvu says

      September 9, 2024 at 2:40 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  3. Bud says

    September 4, 2024 at 5:09 pm

    Touching and funny, which is very hard to accomplish in 101 words. Nicely done!

    Reply
    • Teodora Vamvu says

      September 9, 2024 at 2:40 am

      Thanks a lot for your kind words!

      Reply
  4. Ramona Taylor says

    September 4, 2024 at 6:02 pm

    How those who’re gone live in our memories. Nice work

    Reply
    • Teodora Vamvu says

      September 9, 2024 at 2:45 am

      Exactly! Thank you so much.

      Reply
  5. Kelly Louisa Balliu says

    September 26, 2024 at 11:50 am

    Lovely 🙂

    Reply

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