Like I mentioned in yesterday's post, when I went to the mailbox and discovered a package for me, I was thrilled.  Seeing that it was my long awaited cookbook, I was even happier.  You see, that is what gifts do for people, especially unexpected gifts, out-of-the-blue gifts, no matter if it is a phone call, a card in the mailbox, a tiny flower at the door...whatever way it appears it is so special.  It means that someone, somewhere, was thinking about you.  But...not only were they thinking about you, they somehow, in someway, took the time to let you know those exact thoughts.  Wow!  Isn't that an encouraging way to live?

I was flipping through a book on gift giving recently, by Rachel Ashwell.
I want to share a paragraph from her book, with you;

"Recently a neighbor of mine moved away, and I wanted to relay the message, "I'll miss you, and here's a little bit of Malibu to take with you."  I gathered some sand and tiny shells from the local beach, and put them into a simple antique mustard jar.  The individual items were of little financial value,  but the combination of the two elements-the sentiment and my effort-gave the gift emotional value."

She goes on to say, "A simple tray of food can be a wonderful way to tell someone you care.  I(Rachel) bring my daughter a tray every evening before bed.  I give her a cup of tea or a glass of milk and some cookies.  I always use a china cup and saucer, a pretty old plate and a linen napkin.  I include a little note with a couple words to wrap up some experience of the day. I know these notes mean a great deal to her.  In fact, she has an incredible filing system for them; she puts them inside a stuffed animal that she keeps on her bed.  That tattered old whale probably has more notes than stuffing by now."

Life at times can be hard.  Lonliness can be real.  Days can be tiring and trying at times.  A tiny gift in whatever form, can brighten the load, lift the spirits, and lighten the step for others, wouldn't you agree?  They certainly do for me.

So, I decided that I was going to have a giveaway, so that I could share the joy with someone, like I experienced yesterday from the contents in my mailbox.

There are no strings attached.  I just simply want to say thank you to each of you who visit my blog, whether you do it once a year, or every week.  Thank you! 

All I'd like you to do, is to comment and tell me about a simple, unexpected gift you received in the last few years, whether it was a smile when you most needed it, a handwritten note, a gift of time from someone, or whatever, you were given that meant a lot to you at the time you received it.

On Thursday evening a name will be drawn from the comments, and I will send you a small gift I bought at the Pottery Barn Outlet.  It is a mercury glass tray with three mercury glass votive holders, three battery operated votives(I prefer the real kind, but my husband prefers the battery operated kind.  He says I can't burn the house down with those:), and some reindeer moss scattered on the tray(if you prefer that on the tray or not).

 

Even if you never comment, feel free to comment now.

Consider it my way, of serving you cookies and tea, in a china cup.