supposedly my best gift ever
or so my mum says. it's not exactly your average gift, but she still talks about it.

one year, when i was about 11 years old, mum came home from the shops in tears. she'd just been out to buy the christmas food, but somebody else had obviously been looking for a bargain and had mugged her and stolen her purse. she reported it to the police, who were, of course, no help whatsoever.
seeing my poor mum so distraught, i had a bit of a brainwave: i'd go carol singing! the few posher streets in our area were always good for a few quid, so i donned my parka and set off, towing mum's shopping trolley with me. fortunately, she didn't notice me taking it.
through the freezing wind and slushy snow i trudged, peddling my dodgy vocal talents from house to house. after 2 hours, i decided i'd had enough and called it a day. when i counted up my takings, the total was a little over £50. i was delighted! scurrying as quickly as i could, i made my way to the local supermarket, where i filled the trolley with festive treats, including a fairly decent sized turkey. every last penny went on shopping, from bread and milk to toilet rolls, everything i thought we'd need. feeling very pleased with myself, i towed the trolley home in the growing dusk.
i arrived home to see mum still red-eyed, worrying about how she'd cope without the food money. i showed her the trolley full of goodies and explained what i'd done.
i didn't expect the waterworks that followed! mum absolutely sobbed her eyes out. in my tiny kiddy brain, i thought i'd done something wrong.
she gave me the biggest hug imaginable and kept right on crying.
we had a great christmas that year.
that was 25 years ago, but she still talks about it.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 21:33, 94 replies)

**cries**
..that just made my day.
(ifonly, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 21:51, closed)

glad you liked it :)

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 21:58, closed)

*dabs tears from eyes*
Utterly inadequate for such a lovely story but *clicks until fingers fall off!*
(Celebgil, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 21:51, closed)

thanks :)

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 21:58, closed)

wow
that is what Christmas should be about... love of family
(Subway Riding the rails underground, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 21:57, closed)

exactly!

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 21:59, closed)

^ this
Got it one, exactly what xmas is about. In return, have a xmas cracker that goes *click*.
( bluemeat has been best of all the animals since, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 23:32, closed)

thank you!
is there a hat in it?
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sun 29 Nov 2009, 23:31, closed)

You sod
Ive just blown my non girly gene credentials by blubbing like a .....well er a girly

blubs and clicks

FTW surely!
(insomniac-surfer oh go on then, just this once, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 22:00, closed)

thanks :)
FIGHT THE PINK GENE!
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 22:02, closed)

*click*

( TheMattInAHat has a particular... odour..., Fri 27 Nov 2009, 22:48, closed)

thanks :)

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 23:08, closed)

Ah, blimey
That's the best story I've heard for years. That's what Christmas should be about - love and family.

Clicky click.
(womanwhocanonlylivewithdogs, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 22:57, closed)

my point exactly
went to spain for christmas once, never again.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 23:09, closed)

This should win
Best present ever, seriously can't click hard enough.

*click* FTW
(Ginger_Whinger got in the newsletter!! =D, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 23:32, closed)

thanks :)
she's getting a jumper this year!
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 23:52, closed)

aaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwww
Lully.
(tomfacedkillah has not tossed a dwarf since, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 0:54, closed)

thanks :)

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 1:06, closed)

That was lovely.
.
(Big D, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 2:30, closed)

thank you :)

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 11:14, closed)

Top marks.
(XmanX captain upsetter hahahahaha, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 6:38, closed)

top thanks :)

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 11:15, closed)

Aw! what a wonderful story.
I feel like a crap daughter to my mum now : (
( girlinthehole, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 7:45, closed)

don't!
things like this seem perfectly reasonable when you're eleven!
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 11:15, closed)

Damn you
You made my eyes leak.

Click.
(Blue_in_Exile, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 8:05, closed)

heheh

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 11:16, closed)

'she gave me the biggest hug imaginable and kept right on crying.'
You got me right there.

*clicks, and blinks really quickly in an attempt to man the fuck up before the wife walks in and realises he has a sensitive side..*
(danniekavanagh did nothing constructive on, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 9:21, closed)

you've got a sensitive side?
don't worry, that's what the ointment is for
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 11:16, closed)

Tears here too
I'm a 44 yo bloke.

Well done!

You get my only click of the week. Consider it an early xmas present from all of us at MBD towers
(MadBouncyDog Barking at the moon since, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 11:43, closed)

i shall
and thanks :)
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 11:55, closed)

If this doesn't get to the top of the list
...I will visit everyone who didn't click it and CUNT THEM IN THE FUCK!
(all my scars face forward possesses 2.5% of a hyperalloy combat chassis, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 12:40, closed)

hahaha!
thanks :)
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 16:09, closed)

actual tears in my eyes!
that's lovely *click*
(reducedfatLOLcat, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 13:42, closed)

thanks :)

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 16:09, closed)

Time for a new QotW
Because ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner.
(louveciennes , Volvospotter, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 15:37, closed)

aaawwww
*blushes*
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 16:09, closed)

[Click]
Now sod-off while I have a manly weep.
(minimalist ..., Sat 28 Nov 2009, 15:48, closed)

real men aren't afraid to cry ;)

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 16:10, closed)

Stop the qotw, this wins.
If this was the plot of a film it'd be sickmakingly twee, but as a real story it's wonderful.
( Bob Todd whee, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 16:18, closed)

this week, on true movies...
heheheh
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 17:46, closed)

pure quality
*clicks*
( Jeccius Steam Borderlands 2 junkie, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 18:15, closed)

thanks :)

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 19:57, closed)

* doesnt blub like a girl at all
so as not to invalidate my reputation as E4's premier hard man * ;)

thats truly lovely. I hope your christmas this year is as nice - and indeed everyone else's here is.
(tjn whizzing on the electric fence of life, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 19:21, closed)

same to you :)

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 28 Nov 2009, 19:57, closed)

As a mum
I bawled my own eyes out. What a sweetheart-that is a lovely story from a lovely person.


Waaaah!
(TDub Nunc id vides, nunc ne vides on, Sun 29 Nov 2009, 7:07, closed)

thanks :)
she's not well right now, just left hers after tidying up and making her a cuppa
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sun 29 Nov 2009, 18:21, closed)

Sat in the living room, read this.....
desperately tried to hide the welling eyes from the kids!

Ace story though.

*Clicks HARD!
(Kip, Sun 29 Nov 2009, 10:23, closed)

hahaha!
if they see you, they'll tease you relentlessly!
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sun 29 Nov 2009, 18:22, closed)

managed
to cover it up.
(Kip, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 13:11, closed)

well done you
#smiles#
( zulu eh?, Sun 29 Nov 2009, 13:53, closed)

thanks :)

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sun 29 Nov 2009, 18:22, closed)

win, win!
...but you'll never manage to top that :)
(jennymnemonic, Sun 29 Nov 2009, 14:32, closed)

i know!
and that's the problem!
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sun 29 Nov 2009, 18:22, closed)

Nice story
is it true though?
( stopmeandslapme Cometh the hour, cometh your mum, Sun 29 Nov 2009, 14:53, closed)

it is indeed true
i've just got home from mum's. i asked her if she remembered it. she smiled, squeezed my hand and said "of course i remember".
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sun 29 Nov 2009, 18:24, closed)

Blimey
You are/were an angel.
( stopmeandslapme Cometh the hour, cometh your mum, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 6:30, closed)

not really
just the only one of 4 kids who's not too busy with kids and partners to help out
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 13:17, closed)

I think you just won the internet with this one

( thyrf as in turf, but not, Sun 29 Nov 2009, 19:08, closed)

yes, but
what do i do with it now i've got it?
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sun 29 Nov 2009, 19:11, closed)

Lovely story :)

(mr-lizard Hell's teeth man!, Sun 29 Nov 2009, 21:53, closed)

thank you :)
i am now drunk.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sun 29 Nov 2009, 23:10, closed)

Sell it on eBay of course.

( thyrf as in turf, but not, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 16:26, closed)

of course!
and with the money, i can buy many shiny baubles!
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 16:45, closed)

a heartwarming story AND taking the time to reply to everyone individually
You, sir, are a the rarest of things: a true gentlemen.
wait until i've wiped the tears from my eyes please :D
you deserve to win this one...

*click*
(baldpig pee'd in your pool on, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 8:25, closed)

thank you :)
although i am, in fact, female.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 12:38, closed)

Consider that clicked.
Brilliant story.
( jim_bob can herd cats., Mon 30 Nov 2009, 11:52, closed)

thanks :)

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 12:39, closed)

I want to read that story to the missus...
but i've got a lump in my throat.

I don't even cry at funerals - what have you done to me you heartless bastard?
(mongothemagnificent knows where you live, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 12:04, closed)

i want to be heartless
but i've got this debilitating nice side that just won't let me!
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 12:39, closed)

Great story
This QOTW is a bit rubbish but this response is a sure fire winner.
(CaptainCuntyBollocks the man who can with a frying pan full of lamb, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 12:20, closed)

thanks :)

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 12:40, closed)

Oooops
My Boss has just asked why Im crying and if I would like to go home.....everyones a winner!
(Obi wanker nobi Its not a bug, its an unexpected feature, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:28, closed)

brilliant!
a kind and sensitive boss? that really is a christmas miracle! :D
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:47, closed)

It's not often that I smile these days but...
...that is a lovely story, very touching indeed. I hate it when parents cry too.
(I'mOffKilter can't be arsed, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 18:56, closed)

thanks :)
doesn't it make you feel uncomfortable and squirmy when they cry?
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 20:02, closed)

Yeah...
...like I'm not supposed to see it. Taboo...
(I'mOffKilter can't be arsed, Tue 1 Dec 2009, 15:59, closed)

it's like finding the joy of sex under their mattress
just plain wrong
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Tue 1 Dec 2009, 16:10, closed)

This makes me want to weep like a bitch.

Win.
(Captain Kenneth 's Greatest Hits on sale now, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 19:24, closed)

go on, do it
we all like a little weep now and again!
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 20:03, closed)

*sob*
Wow. that's lovely.
( Animanga, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 20:11, closed)

thanks :)

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 21:46, closed)

Absolutley
beautiful story. Well done Ma'am *clicks a lot*
(Something funny, Tue 1 Dec 2009, 0:27, closed)

thanks :)
i'm starting to get a big head here!
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Tue 1 Dec 2009, 0:43, closed)

EXCELLENT !!!
Wonderful stuff... Absolutely WONDERFUL. Love it.
( SpankyHanky, Tue 1 Dec 2009, 11:43, closed)

praise from caesar ;)

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Tue 1 Dec 2009, 15:53, closed)

damn you
Now I've teared up!
Ah well, I'll be able to blame on making the chilli if any of my housemates come home early.
(TheProfessor For all your redbearded intellectual needs, Tue 1 Dec 2009, 17:25, closed)

quick, chop some onions!
:)
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Tue 1 Dec 2009, 18:48, closed)

Well Done
I raise my glass to you Ma'am and wish you many good christmasses to come.
( DukeEuphoria Comes highly reccomended, Tue 1 Dec 2009, 17:34, closed)

and the same to you and yours
:)
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Tue 1 Dec 2009, 18:49, closed)

Bag o shite
(grandwizard68, Wed 2 Dec 2009, 12:46, closed)

yes of course
and i'm sure your family just adore your gifts
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Wed 2 Dec 2009, 15:37, closed)

hahahaha

( weaver., Wed 2 Dec 2009, 22:08, closed)