101: Don't Like It?

With the family gathered in the cozy warmth of the living room, Jeanine decided it was time to open her birthday gifts. One by one, she unwrapped each thoughtful present, her smile growing wider with every gift. Each family member had chosen something personal. Some thoughtful trinkets, her favorite books, and cozy items were all meant to show how much they cherished her. Jeanine was never fond of fancy things and valued the thought behind each and every gift rather than its material value.

And from the look of it, she could tell that all the relatives had really put their heartfelt feelings into picking gifts for her. She valued this sincerity more than anything. Since the time she had a long battle of life and death with her illness, she had come to understand what really mattered in life. To her, the people around her matter more than anything right now. That's why she didn't throw those fancy and grand parties anymore. She loved to have this cozy time with close friends and relati