Two young girls visit their father’s grave on his birthday to show him their lovely attire, fulfilling their father’s final request. They look for two exquisitely wrapped boxes with their names and a heartfelt inscription next to the gravestone.
Mariana, age eight, and Iris, age six, missed their father, Brian.
They hadn’t joined forces to make fun of their mother or been smuggling cookies and ice cream out of the kitchen at night since his death. Nothing was joyful without their father.
Their mother Linda used to scream, “Brian, you’re ruining those girls!”
They steal cookies from the pantry, and you always defend them when I reprimand them!
“I can’t resist, they’re so cute!” Brian stated. “I’m sorry, honey, you know how much I love you?”
Brian was continually balancing things out. He was a loving husband and father. However, following his death, a change occurred. Mariana and Iris were quite silent, and Linda—well, she kind of fumbled to come to terms with his death.
After all, she had terrible memories of her final moments with Brian. She was unable to assist him as he deteriorated in front of her. Despite the efforts of the medical professionals, the end came swiftly after the diagnosis.
He died while sleeping one early morning.
He had told them the previous evening that the girls would be staying with him till the very end of his stay in the hospital. He most likely thought it would be his last evening with his little girls. He requested to talk to them alone as well.
“I’m excited to see what my girls will wear because I want them to look their best on my birthday. Will you come see me and show me your lovely attire? Brian’s final comments that evening were, “You see, even though Dad might not be with you that day, you have to promise me you will look your best.”
Linda was ruined, and he was not returning. No matter how hard she tried, she was unable to get better. The girls were stronger than her in their naivete. She couldn’t stand to think about him underground, so the funeral had been particularly difficult.
The girls requested their mother to take them shopping the day before his birthday. Their goal was to fulfill their father’s final desire.
Little Iris said, “Mommy,”
Dad adored my pink gown. I no longer fit the one he gave me for my birthday. Thus, I’d like one in the same hue.
“Mom, can you help me pick one?” Mariana uttered those words. “I want Dad’s favorite color to be this one.”
“Girls, I don’t think I have time,” Linda remarked. She was still too devastated by Brian’s passing. She wasn’t prepared for an enjoyable shopping excursion.
Iris remarked, “But we have to go see Dad.”
“And on his birthday, he asked us to wear something lovely.”
Tears filled Linda’s eyes. She had forgotten Brian’s birthday because she was so overcome with grief.
“Did he say that to you?” Linda inquired.
“Yes, on his birthday, Dad wanted to see us wearing lovely outfits. “Mommy, we must go see him,” Iris replied. “Be quick! We must go shopping!
“He asked you that at what time?” Linda was curious. “I was unaware. I was unaware that he had shared his final request with you.
Mariana said, “The last night we spent with him, Mommy.” He held our hands and explained that on his birthday, he wanted to see us dressed nicely. We ought to do this for him, in my opinion. Would you accept us, even though I know you’re sad?
She then approached her mother and whispered in her ear. We must do this for Iris, even though I know you mourn Dad. She is quite eager to dress in a pink outfit for Daddy.
Mariana has always had a high level of intelligence. She understood concepts that children of her age would struggle to understand. She persuaded her mother at last.
“Okay,” Linda replied.
Girls, let’s go shopping! Let’s look for the most elegant attire for Dad’s birthday! Linda uttered those words.
Mommy, don’t be depressed,” Mariana whispered.
On Brian’s birthday the next day, the girls put on their new clothes and walked hand in hand to his grave.
The girls noticed two exquisitely wrapped boxes with their names on them and a small tag on top indicating that they were from Brian while they were in front of the tombstone.
“Mom!” Iris turned to face Linda, saying,
“Look, we got gifts from Dad! Is he unaware that we are expected to present him with gifts? His birthday is today! and she chuckled naively.
He must have thought it was a fantastic idea, Iris. “Go ahead, ladies, open the boxes,” Linda urged.
Linda fought to suppress her tears as the two girls opened the boxes. Mariana wept for the first time since their father’s death, and Iris grinned broadly.
A lovely pair of shoes and a letter from Brian were enclosed in each box.
“Shoes!” Iris cried. “Mom, they’re really lovely! Pink is my fave color!
Here in heaven, some angels are taken aback by your beauty! They claim that you are the most gorgeous girl that God has ever made. Daddy wanted you to wear these gorgeous shoes because he thinks you look so pretty in your clothes. I’m hoping you enjoy them.
I want you to continue hiding from Mommy and being the same girls who used to raid the pantry for cookies. I would love to hear your entertaining tales the next time you come to see me.
I want you to smile and be content every single day. Trust that I’m in a great place and that I’ll see you and look after you from here when you think of me.
Girls, I appreciate you coming to see me and wishing me a happy birthday. Daddy adores you unconditionally.
Mariana gave her younger sister a hug once she finished reading the letter out loud. She thanked her mother for accompanying them, looking at her. Knowing that their father and husband will always be with them, the three joined hands and sensed his presence all around them.
Inside, Linda thanked them for easing her agony and encouraging her to live without Brian. She grinned and whispered, “I love you very much.”
