‘Mom! That’s not a book!’ She looked confused. I stared for half a second before dying laughing.’: Woman shares fond Christmas memory of late mother, ‘this season has enough heartache’

More Stories like:

“Today’s her birthday – my mom.

I almost wrote another grief-filled post about heartache at Christmas and missing loved ones.

But then I thought, I’d rather share a funny story.

You see, my mom’s birthday fell in December.

All you December babies know what this means…having to share your birthday with a major holiday, receiving a gift wrapped in Christmas paper rather than a birthday bag, even a ‘forgotten’ gift as your family snags a Christmas gift from your pile and calls it a birthday present.

Always a competition. Always feeling forgotten. Always striving for cheer to celebrate Jesus when you want to be celebrated, too.

It wasn’t selfish. It was just a December birthday.

(I kind of related to her December birthday because mine falls in January and I either received all the gifts that were too cleverly hidden and found later or gifted anything not yet purchased from my Christmas wish list.)

One thing she always made sure of, even though her birthday was in December, was to make everyone else’s Christmas joyful.

She was definitely a giver and always tried to give whatever was on your list. I’m an avid bibliophile so my list usually included a lengthy list of favorite authors and books I wanted.

One year, along with my list, I’d included a few other things, one of which I never received for Christmas.

I didn’t ask about it though, because that’s rude, unkind, and ungrateful. But my mom brought it up.

After all the hullabaloo was over, she came over and hugged me.

‘Amanda, I looked online and at every bookstore in the surrounding three counties but no one has ever heard of a book by Ralph Lauren called Romance. I’m so sorry!’

I stared at her for half a second before dying laughing.

‘Mom! That’s not a book! It’s perfume!’

She looked at me, a dazed look on her face. ‘Really? Well, no wonder the bookstores have never heard of it!’

I’d forgotten about this memory until I received a catalog in the mail this week with a bottle of Ralph Lauren Romance on the cover.

You know, this season has enough heartache for grieving friends and family.

But what keeps me going is sharing the warm memories of the ones who won’t be around this Christmas.”

From podcasts to video shows, parenting resources to happy tears – join the Love What Matters community and subscribe on YouTube.

Courtesy of Amanda Wells

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Amanda Wells, and originally appeared here. You can follow her journey on Facebook.  Submit your own story here and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories.

Read more touching stories like this:

‘I need a favor.’ We had nothing under our Christmas tree. ‘The only thing I was able to purchase was a nail polish. I need you to be OK with that.’: Woman pays it forward after stranger’s act of kindness on Christmas day

‘Please be kind to me this Christmas. I never set out to disappoint you. When all else fails, wrap your arms around me so I feel the strength of your love.’: Mom shares sweet reminder to be patient with kids during holiday season

‘We keep pulling the sled, even when they don’t need it. We carry them when they can’t carry themselves.’: Mom pens sweet analogy to motherhood, ‘just keep pulling mama, even when the sled gets heavy’

Do you know someone who could benefit from reading this? SHARE this story on Facebook with family and friends.

Subscribe to our Living Better newsletter.

Your ultimate guide for actionable insights, evidence-backed advice, and captivating personal stories propelling you towards a more fulfilling life.

    Join our newsletter.

    Captivating stories. Actionable insights. Evidence-backed advice.

      Unsubscribe at any time.

      Join our newsletter.

      Captivating stories. Actionable insights. Evidence-backed advice.

        Unsubscribe at any time.

        Copyright © 2025 Love What Matters. All Rights Reserved.
         Share  Tweet
        Logo

        Looks like your ad blocker is on.

        ×

        We rely on ads to keep creating quality content for you to enjoy for free.

        Please support our site by disabling your ad blocker.

        Continue without supporting us

        Choose your Ad Blocker

        • Adblock Plus
        • Adblock
        • Adguard
        • Ad Remover
        • Brave
        • Ghostery
        • uBlock Origin
        • uBlock
        • UltraBlock
        • Other
        1. In the extension bar, click the AdBlock Plus icon
        2. Click the large blue toggle for this website
        3. Click refresh
        1. In the extension bar, click the AdBlock icon
        2. Under "Pause on this site" click "Always"
        1. In the extension bar, click on the Adguard icon
        2. Click on the large green toggle for this website
        1. In the extension bar, click on the Ad Remover icon
        2. Click "Disable on This Website"
        1. In the extension bar, click on the orange lion icon
        2. Click the toggle on the top right, shifting from "Up" to "Down"
        1. In the extension bar, click on the Ghostery icon
        2. Click the "Anti-Tracking" shield so it says "Off"
        3. Click the "Ad-Blocking" stop sign so it says "Off"
        4. Refresh the page
        1. In the extension bar, click on the uBlock Origin icon
        2. Click on the big, blue power button
        3. Refresh the page
        1. In the extension bar, click on the uBlock icon
        2. Click on the big, blue power button
        3. Refresh the page
        1. In the extension bar, click on the UltraBlock icon
        2. Check the "Disable UltraBlock" checkbox
        1. Please disable your Ad Blocker
        2. Disable any DNS blocking tools such as AdGuardDNS or NextDNS

        If the prompt is still appearing, please disable any tools or services you are using that block internet ads (e.g. DNS Servers).