is my dad sending us subliminal messaging with his gift?
I (23F) need your help settling a family argument. Recently, my dad (55M) bought little pill holders for my mom (62F) and I as part of my birthday present. From the outside, they are adorable with a sardine print. Then he told me to check the inside for an inscription. For mine he wrote “Red or blue pill?” I thought it was slightly strange considering I didn’t understand the reference besides knowing it was from the Matrix (right?). Then I asked my mom what hers said and she said she was confused at first too. It was engraved with “Mommy’s little helpers.” Apparently my dad told her that the joke refers to Valium or other drugs. My mom has never taken drugs like this in her life and doesn’t find the joke particularly funny. After exchanging with each other the inscriptions in our pill boxes, we figured they came from a shortened list of options or prewritten messages.
Tonight, I asked my dad what his said. His response was “Gil’s Pills” which is a play on his name and a nickname I have for him.
Is this not weird?? Why would he write just strange messages in ours just to give himself a normal one?