Special gifts

When I was small I learnt that God gives everyone special gifts. Not the same gifts — obviously, because we’re all different. Some people are fast runners, some people are really good at maths, some people have beautiful voices. But to everyone, God gives some kind of special talent.

As a child I found this completely convincing, and therefore did not need to confirm with anyone when I determined my mother’s special gift from God. Namely, that she could put tissues down her top and they would stay there. What else is that, if not a special gift from God?

I don’t recall the moment when I worked out what was actually going on there, but I do remember telling my mum about this childhood belief as a teenager. She laughed. Of course, by then I had worked out her actual special gift from God: limitless patience with kids who would try a saint.

Still, I think what she does with tissues is also impressive.