I’m having a hard time putting into words my feelings from the weekend that has just come to an end, so I’m going to have to unwrap each gift that came from it slowly, throughout the week, to reveal a little at a time. This might mean more, but shorter, posts this week.
At the very least, I can say that my weekend away from home was not unlike the gift bag I received last night from a new and beautiful friend. “It’s just a little something — the bag makes it look like more than it is,” she said as she handed it to me. “A few small things for you, and some treats for the kids.”
I didn’t open the gift until after our estrogen-packed evening had come to a close, back at the hotel when it was just me and my travel mate and friend, Marie. As I began to remove the contents of the bag in that quieter space, I realized there was more inside than I’d anticipated, and I delighted in each treasure I uncovered, feeling more than a bit undeserving of such a thoughtful gesture. Each time I was fairly certain I’d gotten to the bottom of the bag, another tissue-wrapped gift would appear. Marie and I giggled as I continued to dig deeper, only to find I had not yet reached the end. “There’s another one!” “Okay, I think that’s it. Nope, no, there’s another!”
So, what brought on this flowering of gifts? New friendship, simply put. But there’s more here than what I can possibly articulate (yes, sometimes I am rendered speechless…). The bottomless gift seems to be symbolic, which is why I was able to accept it graciously even while feeling unworthy. The gift was about having discovered, through the most amazing set of circumstances, a soul sister. And I sense that this tangible gesture is only the beginning of something deeply and mutually fulfilling; that the truest part of the gift that was revealed to me last night cannot be wrapped in tissue paper at all. Not only that, but this was just the icing on a very delicately decorated cake that comprised ingredients of a weekend I will be savoring for a very long time to come.
I’ve got to end with a kid quote, because it’s Mama Mondays and because it’s been a while and because this one is publication worthy, in my eyes.
So, the other day after dinner, Adam, 7, says, “I don’t like burping. Wanna know why?” (pause…) Cuz burping budges into your conversation…just like Olivia.”
Yeah, man, that burping thing, isn’t it just as annoying as an older sister? I tell ya…
Ah, well, life can’t be perfect, but at the moment, it’s pretty darn good.
What gift did you receive over the weekend?
You know, on Saturday I received the gift of being alive and my family and friends being so! This is the real gift I have every moment of my life.
I found a picture from Christmas that I had looked over…..mostly because it was not ‘technically’ good.
I’m so glad I looked again prior to deleting. The photo made my heart go pitter-patter at a startling speed for my husband.
I’m so incredible blessed to have a relationship with him.
Sunshine and Warm Weather and more Walks OUTSIDE. Thank you, God, for the January thaw!
We’ve been trying for eight months to sell our home (not because we must, but because we’d like to buy something a little larger for our family), and this weekend we found out we have a showing this week. We haven’t had any lookers since November, so I’m happy to have a little interest.
I received: a movie that was good for the soul; the companionship of wonderful people; and a reminder of the importance of rest.
I understand what you mean about the giving of unexpected gifts. I had a similar experience with a friend recently. Lovely.