Found Gail's picture in my wallet while grabbing my ID for a thing for school, along with an engraved note. I had really forgotten about those, definitely caught me off guard. I remember the arguments we would have about me not valuing her gifts properly.

My first instinct is to disagree, even looking back. But I'm also considering her last gifts of makeup products, and I'm not so sure. That was important and meaningful because we were having some issues with my gender and identity stuff, and it was a way of communicating that I

was still loved, valued, and supported. I'm not sure if I should apply the same level of significance to other gifts from her, and I know more effort went into some of them, like the engraved note with her handwriting. It was definitely an important way of her communicating, and

I think I didn't do a good job at understanding and receiving that communication. When I went to put the note and picture away in my safe, I found a box with a ring she got for me, and a folded paper heart from one of her other gifts.

She put a lot of weight into this stuff, and I think I struggled to understand or value the effort. For instance, the ring is super lowkey and simplistic, but also has an interesting texture, it's like my ideal and she knew it.