Years ago when visiting my aunt in Alberta, Canada, and with a very good exchange rate in place, I bought two Hudson's Bay beaver six-point blankets for the kids. Only now, as my children are in their 20s, do these take on significance. The blankets have been stored in my hall linen cupboard in their original plastic containers for more than 20 years, but finally I sent one to my 26-year-old son in the Pacific NW via my brother, who spent a week during a cross-country drive. When I told my son it's on it's way, he said "cool!" Until now, there was no reaction, or appreciation of the gift of something so mundane as a blanket. But now he has to buy furnishings and he lives in a colder climate. The worm has turned.

This is easily as exciting news as Rapparee's river cruise: I have reached that point in time when the kids understand my gifts, and furthermore, in their view I'm smarter than I was when they were teenagers. This is HUGE!