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I

’ll never forget the night of my 14^th birthday which also happened to coincide with the last few dwindling hours of summer vacation. It will forever remain etched in my mind as the night my parents surprised me with a gift that would be the catalyst of a decision that would make a major difference to the rest of my teenage years.

In our family birthdays are celebrated with a small birthday supper (birthday child gets to choose the menu of course) but no gifts. Which is why I was surprised when after a delicious supper of homemade pizza and milkshakes (my favorite foods) I went upstairs to my bedroom and found a beautifully wrapped package lying on my bed tied with a humongous bow.

Eagerly I ripped it open my heart pounding with excitement. There nestled in the shiny wrapping paper was the schoolbag I’d spent months begging my parents to get me. Not because I particularly liked it. If I was honest enough with myself I thought the design was ugly. But this wasn’t a matter of taste of my own personal likes and dislikes. It was all about that seven-letter word — fashion. This was the briefcase I had to have the one with the right company logo. Three quarters of my class had it last year. I was determined that come September I wouldn’t be one of the few nerdy girls with a different bag. This year I would fit in. I would be part of the crowd. But my parents had refused to shell out $100 for a new schoolbag just because everyone had it when the one I currently used was in perfect condition.

Just when I had resigned myself to the fact that I would continue to be the odd one out this briefcase had arrived. I opened the envelope.

Dear Tali the card read. Although we don’t normally give gifts for birthdays this year is an exception. We know how hard you worked in the summer giving up lots of your own free time to help with the newborn twins and Mommy and I want to show our appreciation with something we know you want. Enjoy using the schoolbag.

Love Daddy and Mommy.