The Best Gifts

For the longest time, I had this quote on my bulletin board. It said, “The best gifts are not those that cost the most money but those that show how well you know the person you’re giving the present to.” I have received many gifts this last year or so that have been in that vein.

There was the vintage pin-magnet from Nancy, the Hello Kitty Las Vegas cell phone charm from Nancy’s daughter, Kelly, the pink tool kit and the perfect coffee travel mug from Brenda and Steve, the cycling jersey and Hello Kitty rubix cube from George, and the Sephora gift card from Suze. Hey, nothing says “I know you’re crazy about Sephora, but I love you anyway,” like a Sephora gift card.

I’m sure I’ve missed others. That’s why I dislike naming things but yet I can’t resist the urge to name things! Oh, yeah, and then there was that bottle of red wine at Christmas, a special vintage with a hint of pizzazz and quite a kick.

When I arrived home today, I was lugging six grocery bags. As usual, the front door banged wide open, and several people came out to help me. That didn’t happen, but it’s a reoccurring dream I have when I’m awake carrying six grocery bags!

After placing six bags of groceries on the front steps, I saw a box from Amazon by the door. I racked my brain and thought, “I didn’t order anything from Amazon.” I lugged my work bag and the six grocery bags through the front door.

After I put all the bags on the kitchen counter, I went back outside to get the box. I brought it in and double checked the address label. It was for me, and I couldn’t think of what it was.

I started my crock pot meal for a party tomorrow night, made coffee for the morning, and then made Iz’s lunch. I put the box up on the counter; it was heavy. I thought, “Did I drink too much wine and order several pounds of marbles?”

I took a knife and cut the tape on the box. I opened the horizontal flaps, and then I opened the vertical flaps. Sitting in the box was a huge (6 pounds to be exact) bag of hard candy.

Perplexed, I saw a white card. I picked it up and read it. It said, “Hi Jean! Thought it would be nice to have some hard candy to fill your Mom’s candy dish with!!!” Love, Lisa”

As I’ve said to many people, this blog is my heart and my soul. If you read it from start to finish, you’d know me, pretty much all of me. Sometimes people have said to me, “I can believe you share so much," but this is who I am; I am what I am, and, World, please come and “get” me.

I stood there and looked at the bag. It was not a bag of candy; it was 12 dozen roses, a 12-carat diamond, and 12000 stock options bought for .05 cents and now valued at $5. Though, it wasn’t the money behind the gift; it was the wealth of love behind the gift.

My Mom’s candy dish was empty; Lisa filled it up and then some. With friends like you in my life, I knew I'd never be alone no matter how lonely I might become. My heart was full, and that was the best gift anyone could hope to receive in their lifetime. ♥

P.S. There’s a Part III to the other blog; however, life gets in the way. ♥