I am sure we all have friends or loved ones that you have no idea what to give them for a birthday gift. They seem to have everything, and nothing you could give them would be special enough. Yes, gift cards are very safe but a little too boring and not personal enough for many people.
I was struggling to figure out what gift I would give to a special person and frankly came up with something that I hope is appropriate. This person is intelligent, very business-oriented and tried to teach me many things.
His name Joel Dubrow – and he is my Father. A few days ago he celebrated his birthday and after days/weeks of trying to figure out what to give him, my gift is words – special words to me that everyone can read.
Dad:
Thanks for being there when I needed you growing up and continue to need you
- Thanks for grounding me (I can’t believe I said that) when I was growing up to teach me a lesson and make me a better person
- Thanks for sharing your business wisdom
- Thanks for letting me make some wrong decisions and go off the beaten path
- Thanks for supporting me when I moved around over the years for jobs in the research industry
- Thanks for supporting my decision to not be an accountant (like you) and changed my major during my junior year
- Thanks for teaching me how to treat people the right way
- Thanks for sending me to an overnight sports camp when we really couldn’t afford it
- Thanks for having a summer house on Cape Cod – those are some of my fondest memories to date!
- Thanks for sending me to an out of state college and allowing me the opportunity of growing up real fast
- Thanks for taking me to all of those Red Sox games and teaching me how to keep score
- Thanks for being a great grandfather
Sometimes you never know what a person means to you until to take a step back. Sometimes you never realize how much a person can affect your life until a few years go by. I remember growing up and thinking how wrong my Dad was in a number of situations. Funny that years have to go by for me to realize he was right more than he was wrong.
I wonder if the same thing will happen with my kids…chances are they will.
Dad – thanks for everything!
I look forward to hearing your comments.
Betsy Sutherland says:
What a priceless gift.
Tobey Belsky says:
Can’t beat that one, Merrill. Did he at least pay you to say that?? or better yet, take you to another Red Sox game?
Peggy Moore says:
Happy Birthday Mr. Joel Dubrow. What a wonderful gift your son gave you. I too would like my children to give me that for my Birthday. At my age who needs another bottle of cologne, a piece of jewelry, etc. Iwould like them to spend the day with me, maybe they could take me out to lunch or dinner. A gift of time is much more important to me than material things.
For Mother’s Day I asked my daughters to spend the day cleaning my home for me. That was a wonderful gift. A gift I will not forget. I am not sure they will give me the same gift next year, my one daughter mentioned buying me a plant for Mother’s Day next year. I guess it was a lot of work for them. Oh well…they loved it.
Naomi Walters says:
Merrill, what a special gift – I agree this is the best gift along with family photos. My daughters and their new babies took family photos for me – I love to show them off! They are truly my pride and joy every day. Time is such a great gift to give! Thanks for reminding us all to say special things to those that we love and cherish.
Here is some for you for making us feel special in the AMA – your guidance is always appreciated and welcomed! Fondly, Naomi