Leakage Is For Losers And Gifts Are A Minefield

The birthday surprise for K. was one very successful operation thanks to her husband and my god daughter keeping shtumm.
Arrived in Bruxelle Midi around lunch.
Made my way to restaurant Mr. K and I had arranged to meet.
And there she was, chatting animatedly and nibbling her salmon - she couldn't see me which gave me time to gather myself for I had wanted to storm in and just scream at the top of my lungs I was so excited. But being the professional and highly serious person that I am I calmly walked over and stood quietly behind her, solicitously inquiring if she whished to order anything else.
Need I say more?

Of course, her face went from enquiry to shock to realisation to beaming and then came a few tears. But such is the way with us gals.We ARE turning into our mothers.

Whilst I don't necessary like surprises - who in their right mind does - I must say I enjoy preparing them for others, loved ones preferrably.
I really like giving gifts!
I'm basically the fourth magi.

Speaking of the offering of gifts - what is that really all about I often ask myself and equally often I come to the grim conclusion that gifts sometimes have to do with guilt and a feeling of inadequacy - at least for me. Don't get me wrong, I am not talking about a bouquet of flowers or a book or what we like to call the little things that show esteem and appreciation. 
But on accasion I have given presents that were meant to say, sorry I am not here more often, sorry I don't spend enough time with you. I rather spend money and shower you with things instead.
I remember also that I have given things to family and friends which I later realised were some kind of ransom. Ransom I tried to pay in order to get free of those ties that bind too tightly and which can thus be rather suffocating.
Other occasions have seen me bear gifts that were slightly over the top and too much both in view of the rather casual relationship to the receiver and of the reason for visiting them/spending time with them.

Does "giving" simply constitute the attempted gain of approval? And if so, is it really "giving" anymore? Looks more like a bribe, doesn't it. So, essentially that would be "buying friends", wouldn't it. And that is just sad and scary and way too "school".
Really?!
Take a look around! - "School" never really stopped!