“How many are you?” Maga asked.
“9.”
“Now that’s a big happy group.”
“It is indeed.”
“The holidays are a good time for families to get together.”
“That they are. And what did Santa bring you?”
“Presents, candy, perfume, the usual.”
I knew my parents had given her an unusual technological gift, and so, yes, I was fishing for information because we hadn’t had a proper chance to talk the day before. Maga’s omission of that gift spoke volumes and yet was 100% not surprising given her age and disinterest in all things technology. Plus, I’d seen her reaction and confusion to it the day before / the way her 10yo great-grandson explained it with ease.
I reeled in the hard questions and allowed her to direct the conversation back to the weather and how many family members I was surrounded by.
“I wish you luck and success,” Maga said as we wrapped up the conversation with talk of the new year.
“I wish you love and good health,” I replied.
Abigail Mumford 