When I was about 16, I asked my parents for a cordless phone for Christmas. I knew that was asking a lot for a couple reasons. They were not inexpensive and if they got me one, they would be encouraging my constant need to be on the phone. I had a list of back up items so I was more likely to get something I really wanted. In looking back, they always gave me the best gifts of what I wanted and needed.

Christmas morning came and my dad was excited to have me open a gift from him. I knew it was something special because of the look on his face. I quickly tore the paper off the box. What was in the box? A phone cord.

I was quite confused at why he was giving me a cord. When I finally looked at him, he smiled and said, “I thought you wanted a phoneless cord for Christmas. Did I misunderstand?”

The whole family laughed. He gave me another wrapped box that had a cordless phone. I still smile when I see phones with cords.