Boy Sees His Birthday Deliveries Planned for the Next 15 Years and Cries When He Finds Out Why – Story of the Day

Teenage boy Charlie struggles to understand why his peers receive expensive presents while he is left listening to his mother’s excuses. He discovers that his mother has prepared 15 gifts for his future birthdays. But after learning the reason behind it, he finally realizes what he truly wants.

Charlie, a 15-year-old with a backpack slung lazily over one shoulder, trudged out of school alongside his classmate Mark.

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the parking lot, where students chattered and cars honked in a chaotic symphony.

“Did you hear? We’ve got another test on Friday,” Mark said, breaking the silence.

Charlie groaned, his shoulders slumping.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Oh no, not again! Is this the fourth test this week? School is exhausting…”

Mark smirked. “Don’t be so dramatic. It’s just studying. You always stress out before tests, but in the end, it all works out fine.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Charlie muttered, his eyes scanning the parking lot. His expression darkened as he frowned.

“My mom’s late again! How much longer do I have to wait?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Maybe something came up. Don’t be mad at her—she’s picking you up. You should be grateful,” Mark said with a shrug.

Charlie shot him a sideways glare.

“Yeah? I don’t see your mom’s car either. Are you super grateful that she’s late too?”

Mark chuckled softly and shook his head. “She won’t be picking me up anymore. My parents bought me a car for my birthday.”

Charlie stopped in his tracks, his jaw dropping.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“What!? A car!? I’d be grateful too if someone got me a car!” he snapped, his voice laced with jealousy.

Mark shrugged again, calm as ever. “You should be grateful no matter what. She’s your mom. Anyway, see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah… bye,” Charlie mumbled, watching Mark stroll off toward the student lot.

As he stood there, stewing in frustration, a car horn blared from across the lot. Charlie spun around and saw his mom’s familiar car pulling up.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

With a sigh, he slung his backpack higher on his shoulder and jogged toward it, muttering under his breath. He opened the car door and slid into the passenger seat, his face already setting in a frown.

Alice, his mom, glanced over at him, her hands gripping the steering wheel.

“Sorry, sweetheart, I’m late again. I had to finish up a few things,” she said apologetically.

“You’re always late these days…” Charlie muttered, avoiding her gaze as he slumped further into his seat.

Alice sighed, keeping her voice calm.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I said I’m sorry. Now, tell me—how was your day?”

“Not great,” he replied shortly, his eyes fixed on the cars passing outside.

She glanced at him again, concern flickering across her face. “What happened?”

“Mark’s parents bought him a car for his birthday,” Charlie said flatly.

Alice smiled slightly, trying to lighten the mood.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“That’s wonderful! Did he give you a ride?”

Charlie turned to her, his expression incredulous.

“No. Mom, my birthday’s coming up soon. Can you get me a car?”

Alice’s hands tightened briefly on the wheel before she answered. “Sweetheart, I already have your gift planned. Maybe I can get you a car in a few years…”

“A few years!?” Charlie’s voice rose with frustration.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“So I have to wait while all my classmates drive around, and I look like an idiot?”

Alice exhaled and tried to keep her tone gentle as she said, “I know it’s hard, but I just can’t afford a gift like that right now.”

Charlie crossed his arms, his voice sharp. “Then return whatever gift you got and buy me a car!”

“I can’t do that, Charlie. I’m sorry,” she said firmly, though her voice was tinged with sadness.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

He turned away, pressing his forehead against the window.

The hum of the engine filled the silence as Alice drove, glancing occasionally at her son, his disappointment weighing heavily on them both.

As she pulled into the driveway, the car came to a slow stop. She turned to Charlie, her face softening.

“Dinner’s in the fridge if you’re hungry. I have a few errands to run, but I won’t be long. Love you, sweetheart!”

“Yeah…” Charlie mumbled without meeting her eyes. He swung the car door open and headed into the house.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The door clicked shut behind him, and the silence of the empty house wrapped around him.

He dropped his backpack by the couch but didn’t bother to sit down. Something gnawed at the back of his mind—an itch he couldn’t ignore.

His mom had seemed calm, too calm, especially after their earlier argument. Why couldn’t she just tell him what she was up to?

His curiosity got the better of him. Quietly, he tiptoed into her bedroom, the air feeling heavier as if he were crossing an invisible line.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Sitting at her desk, he opened her laptop.

The screen glowed to life, and he hesitated for a moment before clicking on her email.

Most of it was unimportant—work notices, receipts, newsletters.

Then he spotted something unusual: an email confirming a delivery scheduled for his upcoming birthday.

His brow furrowed as he clicked it open.

His eyes widened. The delivery wasn’t a one-time thing. There were 14 more planned—one every year for the next 15 years.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“What the…?” he muttered, his heart racing.

Confused and uneasy, he dug deeper, scrolling through her emails until he found an address for a storage unit.

Beneath a pile of papers in her drawer, he found a small key labeled with the same address.

His pulse quickened as he grabbed the key and headed out the door.

The storage unit loomed ahead, its metal door glinting faintly under the dull light of the parking lot.

Charlie unlocked it with trembling hands. As the door creaked open, he froze.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Inside, more than a dozen neatly wrapped gifts were arranged in a row.

They were all different sizes, some small enough to fit in his palm, others big enough to hold a bike.

Each was topped with a handwritten note in his mom’s familiar, looping script.

He stepped inside, the scent of cardboard and faint perfume hanging in the air. He picked up one note and read:

“Happy 17th birthday, sweetheart. I love you more than anything in the world. I hope you like this computer. Study hard!”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

His throat tightened as he set the note back. Why had she done this?

He moved to the first gift, a small box with two notes attached. Pulling off the first, his breath caught as he began to read:

“My dear son, if you’re reading this, I may no longer be with you. For years, I’ve known I had cancer, and no treatment has worked. My time is limited, but I didn’t want your birthdays to feel empty after I’m gone.”

The words blurred as tears filled his eyes. He wiped his face, but the tears kept coming, spilling onto the paper.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“That’s why I prepared these gifts ahead of time. They may not always be exactly what you want, but please open one each birthday and know I love you. Always.”

Charlie let out a shaky breath as he clutched the note. His chest ached in a way he’d never felt before.

He looked around the storage unit, the gifts that suddenly felt so much more than just objects.

They were pieces of her love, her effort to stay with him even when she couldn’t.

He gently placed the note back, closed the door, and leaned against it for a moment.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

His heart was heavy, but it was full of something else too—a deeper understanding of what his mom had done for him.

The drive home was quiet. The world outside blurred, but his mind raced with emotions. He didn’t care about a car anymore.

What mattered now was something far greater.

Charlie stepped quietly into the living room, his shoes scuffing softly against the wooden floor.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

His mom, Alice, was perched on the couch, a book resting in her lap.

She was smiling faintly, her eyes scanning the pages, completely unaware of the emotional storm that had just swept over her son.

Charlie hesitated in the doorway, his chest rising and falling with uneven breaths. His eyes were red, swollen from crying, and his face held a mix of fear and heartbreak.

Alice looked up, her smile fading as she took in his expression. Alarm spread across her face.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Charlie! What’s wrong? Where were you?” she asked, setting the book aside and leaning forward.

“Mom!” he choked out, his voice breaking as he rushed across the room. He threw his arms around her, clinging to her tightly.

“Sweetheart, tell me what’s going on,” she said, her voice soft but urgent. She stroked his back gently, trying to calm him. “How can I help?”

Charlie pulled back slightly, his hands trembling as he wiped at his face.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I know, Mom. I went to the storage unit,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Alice stiffened, her eyes widening.

“What? Why? What were you doing there?” she asked, a hint of panic creeping into her tone.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Charlie cried, his voice breaking again.

“Isn’t there anything we can do?”

Alice took a deep breath, her lips quivering.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“There’s nothing, Charlie. I’m so sorry,” she said, tears brimming in her eyes.

“No, Mom, I’m sorry,” he said quickly, shaking his head.

“I’ve been such a terrible son. I don’t need a car or any gifts. None of that matters. I just want you to be with me.”

“Charlie…” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

“Please, Mom,” he begged, his voice desperate.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I want to spend as much time with you as I can. I love you!”

Alice pulled him close again, her own tears spilling over now.

“I love you too, sweetheart,” she said, her voice breaking as she held him tightly.

The room was quiet except for their soft cries, their embrace a fragile but powerful moment of love and understanding.

Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.

If you enjoyed this story, read this one: Every man reaches a moment when he wants to settle down and have a loving family. But not Henry—he was convinced he would stay single forever, believing it was the better life for him. However, a day spent with his nine-year-old niece makes him realize the true reason behind his life choices.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.

We Sent Money to Our Son for College Tuition – One Day, We Discovered He Wasn’t Even Enrolled and Lived in an Old Trailer

As parents, we’d always believed in our son. He was the perfect child—brilliant, and destined for greatness. So when we sent him off to college with thousands of dollars for tuition, we never questioned his progress. Until the day we found out he had been lying to us all along.

From the moment Jason was born, he was our pride and joy. Growing up, he wasn’t just “our son”; he was the son every family in the neighborhood admired. He excelled at everything he touched.

Boy receiving an award in school | Source: Midjourney

Boy receiving an award in school | Source: Midjourney

Straight A’s? Easy. Captain of the basketball team? Of course. And his charm? It was magnetic. Parents would nudge their kids, saying, “Be more like Jason.” He was handsome, polite, and ambitious. At least, that’s what we thought.

For as long as I can remember, Jason always had a soft spot for animals.

If a stray cat wandered into the yard, it was Jason who would sneak it milk. When our dog, Max, got sick, Jason stayed up all night by his side, even though he was only eight.

Young boy bonding with his dog | Source: Midjourney

Young boy bonding with his dog | Source: Midjourney

“Mom, I want to help animals when I grow up,” he said once, eyes gleaming as he watched Max wag his tail weakly.

“I want to be like Uncle Tom,” he insisted.

I remember laughing softly, tousling his hair. “That’s sweet, honey, but you can help more people if you become a businessman like your dad.”

Young boy bonding with his dog while chatting with his mom. | Source: Midjourney

Young boy bonding with his dog while chatting with his mom. | Source: Midjourney

My husband, Daniel, and I had always envisioned Jason as the future head of our family business. He had all the qualities of a leader.

So, when the time came to choose a college, we insisted on management. Jason hesitated at first, but eventually, he agreed. I thought we had his future all mapped out.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Boy standing at a college building | Source: Midjourney

Boy standing at a college building | Source: Midjourney

It started innocently enough. Jason was two years into college, supposedly studying business management at a prestigious university. We sent him money every month for tuition and living expenses.

Life was busy for Daniel and me; running a company doesn’t leave much room for doubt. So, we never questioned anything.

But then, everything unraveled.

Woman in her car, talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

Woman in her car, talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

A business trip took me to the city where Jason’s college was located. I was excited to surprise him. “I’ll swing by his dorm, maybe take him out to dinner,” I told Daniel over the phone.

When I arrived at the admissions office to get his dorm address, the woman behind the counter gave me a confused look. “Jason Reed? I’m sorry, but we don’t have anyone by that name enrolled here.”

I froze, sure there was some mistake. “Check again,” I insisted, my voice trembling.

She checked. And then she checked again. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but there’s no record of a Jason Reed. Are you sure this is the right university?”

Woman talking to a receptionist | Source: Midjourney

Woman talking to a receptionist | Source: Midjourney

My stomach turned. I thanked her stiffly and left the office, my mind racing.

I called Jason immediately. “Hey, Mom!” he answered, cheerful as ever.

“Hi, sweetheart,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. “I’m in town for a meeting and thought I’d surprise you. How about coffee?”

There was a pause. “Uh, yeah, sure! Let’s meet at the café near campus.”

Something was off, but I brushed it aside. When I saw him at the café, he looked as polished as ever—relaxed, confident, and full of that same charm that had everyone fooled.

Mother and son at a coffee shop | Source: Midjourney

Mother and son at a coffee shop | Source: Midjourney

“How’s school?” I asked casually.

“Great! Classes are tough, but I’m learning a lot,” he said without missing a beat. “Midterms are coming up, so I’ve been studying nonstop.”

He lied so smoothly, that I almost believed him. But the admissions clerk’s words echoed in my head. He’s not enrolled here.

When we hugged goodbye, I slipped my fitness bracelet into his jacket pocket. It had GPS. If Jason was lying to me, I needed to know where he was really going.

Mother and son hugging | Source: Midjourney

Mother and son hugging | Source: Midjourney

That evening, I followed the bracelet’s signal. It led me far from campus, away from the bustling city, to the outskirts of town. The smooth tarmac gave way to a dirt road lined with towering trees. The GPS beeped faster as I approached a small clearing.

And there it was—a rusty old trailer, half-hidden among the trees. The roof sagged under the weight of mismatched patches, and the whole place looked like it might collapse in a strong wind.

An old trailer in the woods | Source: Midjourney

An old trailer in the woods | Source: Midjourney

I parked my car and waited, gripping the steering wheel so tightly. Ten minutes passed before Jason appeared, walking up the dirt path with a bag slung over his shoulder.

My heart stopped.

I watched as he knocked on the trailer door. When it creaked open, another figure stepped out. It was my brother, Tom.

“Tom?” I whispered to myself, shocked. I hadn’t seen him in over a year. Tom, had always been a wanderer. While Daniel and I built a stable life, Tom flitted between jobs but finally became a veterinarian.

Man standing at the door of an old trailer | Source: Midjourney

Man standing at the door of an old trailer | Source: Midjourney

Without thinking, I got out of the car and marched toward the trailer.

“Jason!” I called, my voice sharp.

He spun around, eyes wide. “Mom?! What are you doing here?”

“I should be asking you that!” I yelled. “What is this place? Why aren’t you at school? And why is he here?”

Tom leaned against the doorframe, smirking. “Nice to see you too, sis.”

“Stay out of this, Tom,” I snapped, glaring at him.

Jason stepped forward, hands up. “Mom, I can explain.”

Son explaining himself to his mother | Source: Midjourney

Son explaining himself to his mother | Source: Midjourney

“No,” I interrupted, my voice trembling. “I’ve been sending you money—our money—for tuition, thinking you were in college. Were you ever enrolled?”

Jason hesitated, then shook his head. “No.”

The word hit me like a slap. “Then where has all the money gone?”

Jason glanced at Tom, then back at me. “I’ve been using it to fund something…important. Uncle Tom’s been helping me.”

My gaze snapped to Tom, who looked unbothered. “Helping you do what?”

Man standing at the door of an old trailer | Source: Midjourney

Man standing at the door of an old trailer | Source: Midjourney

Jason took a deep breath. “I’m building a veterinary clinic.”

“What?”

“I’ve been dreaming about this my whole life, Mom. Uncle Tom had the skills and connections to help me get started. I’m using the money to buy equipment and renovate a building nearby. Once it’s ready, he’s going to be the head vet.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You lied to us! You’ve been funneling money to this—to him?” I pointed at Tom, whose smirk only deepened.

“Mom, this is my calling,” Jason said, his voice steady. “You and Dad wanted me to take over the business, but that’s not who I am. I want to help animals.”

Son talking to his mom | Source: Midjourney

Son talking to his mom | Source: Midjourney

“You betrayed us!” I shouted, my voice cracking. “You’ll never see another penny from me again.”

I turned and stormed back to my car, tears blurring my vision.

Three months passed, and I didn’t speak to Jason. The silence was unbearable, but I couldn’t bring myself to call him. Then, one day, an envelope arrived in the mail.

The letter read: “Dear Mrs. Reed, Thank you for believing in your son and financing his veterinary clinic. Recently, my dog was hit by a car, and your son saved her life. If it weren’t for him—and for you—she wouldn’t be here today.”

I stared at the letter, my hands shaking.

Woman reading a letter | Source: Midjourney

Woman reading a letter | Source: Midjourney

Over the next few weeks, more letters and emails poured in. Each one told a similar story: animals saved, families reunited, lives changed—all thanks to Jason.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

One night, unable to sleep, I found myself searching for Jason’s Veterinary Clinic online. The result popped up instantly, complete with photos of a small building with bright green awnings and a cheerful sign. My breath caught when I saw Jason in the photo, smiling beside a family and their golden retriever.

I grabbed my keys.

Woman's hand grabbing car keys from the table | Source: Midjourney

Woman’s hand grabbing car keys from the table | Source: Midjourney

The clinic looked just like the pictures. The parking lot was busy, the hum of life evident in the barking of dogs and the chatter of pet owners. My legs felt like jelly as I walked to the front door.

Inside, the first person I saw was Tom. He looked up from a clipboard and froze.

“Well, if it isn’t my sister,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “To what do we owe the honor?”

“I got your messages,” I said, holding back tears.

“My messages?” He smirked, crossing his arms. “Oh, you mean the flood of letters from people thanking you for something you tried to stop.”

Veterinary doctor having a conversation with his sister in his office | Source: Midjourney

Veterinary doctor having a conversation with his sister in his office | Source: Midjourney

I flinched, but he didn’t stop.

“You wrote him off, but look around.” He gestured to the clinic bustling with life. “This is Jason. This is what you didn’t see. You were so busy planning his life, you never stopped to ask what he wanted.”

“Where is he?” I asked, ignoring the sting of his words.

Tom nodded toward a back room. “Go see for yourself.”

Veterinary doctor talking to his sister in his office | Source: Midjourney

Veterinary doctor talking to his sister in his office | Source: Midjourney

On the other side, Jason bent over an examination table, gently examining a scruffy dog while speaking softly to a tearful woman.

“Mom?” he said, noticing me. His voice held equal parts surprise and fear.

I didn’t speak at first, the lump in my throat too heavy. Finally, I managed, “You did this?”

Jason nodded slowly. “Yeah. I did.”

His confidence wavered as he spoke. “I know I hurt you. I know I lied, but—”

“Jason,” I interrupted, my voice breaking. “I was wrong.”

He blinked.

Mother and son having a conversation | Source: Midjourney

Mother and son having a conversation | Source: Midjourney

I took a shaky step forward. “This is your calling. It’s everything you said it was. And I couldn’t see it. I tried to control you, to make you into someone you weren’t, but…” My voice cracked. “You’ve built something beautiful. Something that saves lives. I’m so proud of you.”

Jason’s eyes glistened as he stepped toward me. “That means everything, Mom.”

Behind us, Tom’s voice rang out, amused but warm. “Look at that. Turns out we were right all along.”

I turned back to Jason, my heart finally at peace.

“Promise me one thing,” I said.

“Anything,” he replied.

“Don’t ever stop being this person.”

Young veterinary doctor talking to his mother | Source: Midjourney

Young veterinary doctor talking to his mother | Source: Midjourney

If you enjoyed this story, you might love this one too: My stepmom took $5,000 from my college fund for her veneers — then karma struck back.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided as “is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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