Relishing a 7th Birthday with Mustard

As we were looking ahead at June, I knew that our niece would be turning 7 toward the end of the month. We would have to find a good gift. But we had most of the month to track it down.

This past weekend, as we were celebrating my parents’ 55^th anniversary and Father’s Day, and I was dropping off a belated birthday gift for my brother-in-law George, I thought of how we hadn’t yet found a gift for this special girl turning 7.

I knew we would find something, but somehow I am still struggling to find my summer rhythm. And I lost track of time. I was working away on the birthday itself when I received a text in the late afternoon from my sister. Her daughter, the birthday girl, was wondering whether they might see me today. No pressure, of course. Just curious.

And I panicked.

Because it was this special girl’s birthday. And the day had completely gotten away from me, and I had no gift to bring—yet. We still had time, of course. Just not much.

So, as soon as we could, my younger son and I got in the car and drove to the store. We talked, as you do, about the birthday girl herself—what she liked, what she had on her wish list, and what kind of gifts we might like to give. But I wasn’t really sure what we should get.

We had been in the store for just a few minutes when my son reached into a rack and pulled out a stuffed plush mustard. He showed it to me, and we looked at each other. It felt like the perfect gift.

Did she like mustard? We didn’t know. Did she want a stuffed mustard? Maybe not. But we had a feeling this was the right gift. We added a couple other items to the gift pile, but they simply aren’t worth noting.

Because the thing is that when the birthday girl unwrapped the mustard, she was absolutely delighted. She immediately started to play with it, pretending to eat it, and beaming a beautiful smile.

“Did you know that she loves mustard?” my sister asked, clearly marveling at our skillful shopping. But I had no idea.

I knew this child liked all animals but especially bunnies. I knew she liked tearing around the driveway on her scooter. I knew she appreciated her Uncle John’s jokes. I knew that she had requested only M foods to be served at her birthday. But I never knew that she eats mustard sandwiches, that she always wants mustard on her turkey burgers, and that mustard is her favorite condiment of all.

What I did know was that this stuffed mustard was adorable and smiley and fun—and that her cousin, who is more than twice her age, thought she would love it. And I had a feeling he was right. So, we took a guess, and we bought a mustard stuffy.

And it was a victory all around.

The birthday girl took the mustard to bed with her that night and to Mass the next day. Its name seems to be Mustard, which is absolutely appropriate. I can’t get over the thrill of this last-minute discovery, this accidental success on our part.

Because I had no idea this child would love a stuffed mustard so much. And she might not even have known herself. But God knew. And he loves her so much that he led my son to find just the right gift.

It was not a present I would have found if I had shopped alone or in advance or online. It was right where we needed it to be—at the very last minute, as I was scrambling and feeling a little guilty about not shopping earlier.

But it all came together.

“The Lord has turned all our sunsets into sunrise,” St. Clement said.

And the Lord brought a smile to a birthday girl’s face—and to ours as we reflect back her birthday joy. Happy birthday to our mustard enthusiast. And thank you, God, for guiding our steps to such a fun last-minute gift.

Photo by George Matysek

Copyright © 2026 Catholic Review Media

 Print