Just when you think the world stinks and you are the only awesome one in it, someone more awesome comes along and punches you so hard in the heart that it straightens out your head. Seriously. Let me tell you a little story that ended up with me crying in the post office parking lot.
Crafters may sympathize with me on the fact that it gets crazy busy around the holidays. Making gifts, filling orders, not to mention visiting, cooking, cleaning, and decorating. It can really get to be a bit much, especially when you start to feel underappreciated, undervalued, underpaid, overlooked, and start doubting yourself and all of mankind in general. Holidays are not always love and warmth and sharing and caring for some people.
Anyway, I was getting to a point where I was so busy that I knew I’d have no time to make something for myself, but I really wanted a hat. I get cold even in the house sometimes just because of thyroid issues or from sitting still too long like when crocheting. So, a fellow crocheter whose work I admire and respect, was having a sale before the holidays. I thought this was my big chance! I will give HER the order for my hat and I will get a great hat, also at a discount, AND be helping her out. We discussed a time frame and being a crafter myself, I stressed that there was no rush for her to complete my order because I know how crazy things can get this time of year and I will just be happy to get a good looking and well made hat, whether it comes before the holiday or not. Because I’m awesome and so considerate like that. Or so I thought.
Well, today I went to the post office to mail off a few things and checked my box while I was there. There was a flag in it (not a national flag, a piece of cardboard they use at our post office to tell you that you have a package that would not fit in your box) so I had to go to the counter and trade my flag for a package. I was not expecting anything. If Igor were to surprise me with a gift, he would not send it to my post office box. I already received the package from my swap partner for Christmas. So what could this be?
Well, I got the package and recognized the return address as the crocheter who was making my hat. But I thought to myself, “It can’t be from her. We haven’t even talked about the hat any more or how she would like payment. Just what is she up to?” So I finished my post office business and went out to my car. Curiosity got the better of me so I opened the package then and there rather than waiting until I was at home. Bad idea. I’m not a pretty crier. I can imagine the scrunched up potato face I was making while trying to hold in the sobs and how squinty and red my eyes must have looked while my nose was running and my glasses were steaming up. Well, at least I’m the quiet kind so everyone in the parking lot could at least be glad about that.
Inside the package was my hat. And a note that sucker punched me right in the chest. So hard that it squeezed mucus out of almost all of my facial orifices. And here I had thought I was being so awesome. This person, this lovely and talented, thoughtful, considerate, person decided to send me my hat at no charge, requesting that I take that amount I would have given her and put it toward my vet bills. She had wanted to contribute, she said, and my order had made it easier for her to do just that without letting on until the last minute. She must have worked so hard over the holidays in order to get it to me so soon after Christmas. I know she had other things to do, orders to fill and gifts to make, PLUS she shipped it at her own cost. And her work is impeccable, just like I knew it would be. It’s like she could see into my soul and knew the stress I was feeling over the vet bills even though I don’t remember especially mentioning it to her. She could see beyond the trees in my forest. She knew that every little bit helps. And she knows how much my furry kids mean to me. And she made me cry.
I will pay this forward somehow.
That is so awesome you deserve the best Tina
Thank you Liz! I don’t feel I deserve it, but I am certainly grateful and thankful that there are people like this in the world to help me through! I hope they are always treated as well as they treat others.
That’s agtfrrrrrrrrrrrbgvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
(Ok that was meant to say ‘awesome’ but my own kitty was so excited at the story she walked across the keyboard and apparently agtfrrrrrrrrrrrbgwwvvvvvvvvwww is cat butt for ‘an amazing heart warming story of excellence’).
LOL! Aw, Ruthi! You made me laugh and cry at the same time. I’m a mess. But a happy mess.
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This is so beautiful.. I am so happy for you and also so happy for everyone who reads this post. There are awesome people in this world and it is wonderful to hear these stories. Thank you SO much for sharing this and God Bless her for such kindness and you too Tina <3
Yes, Sharon, I truly pray she is blessed. Kind hearts like that are truly special. <3
Dohhhhh! That is so awesome! I’d be crying like a baby too. I love random acts of kindness! You deserve it!
Thanks so much for reading Abby! I honestly hope and pray that the people like this are blessed for their acts of kindness. They are the ones who inspire me to keep always trying to be a better person.
Aww, you made me cry, too!
Just pay it forward, Babe, I know you will anyway.
Hugs and smiles for a beautiful YOU!
Trish
Thank you so much, Trisha! I will definitely pay it forward. I have been fortunate to have been the recipient of several random acts of kindness this past year and in honor of those special people, I will be happy to pay it forward in some way.
How wonderful
I had a similar experience on my birthday. It was wonderful and gave me the push to make several more gifts that brightened someone else’s day.
Aww, see – that’s how I feel now. I want to make sure I pay it forward! And I will make a point in 2013 of going out of my way more than normal to do that a few times in honor of the people who were kind to me.
<3 P.S. I'm so glad you had a good experience and on your birthday too! 
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Lovely… a I bet you cry beautifully, whereas I look like the girl from Blair Witch…
LOL! Well, I couldn’t see myself but I sure FELT like I looked awful with a big puffy, red, leaky face. At least the girl from the Blair Witch was cute!
Awe… I love things like this!!! That is so truly wonderful!!! So happy for you! Thanks for sharing with us!
Thank you, Libby! <3
Wow…that was a really sweet thing to do!
Yeah, Pumpkin – she’s super sweet. Just an all-around awesome person.
So glad she’s become a friend.
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Blessed to be a blessing. We are so often surprised by ransomed acts of kindness. Wishing they were the norm.
I’m with you in wishing they were the norm, Liz! And I will not take this kindness for granted!
I agree with everyone. What a beautiful person. It was such a lovely thing to do. Thank you for sharing this warm-hug of a story
You’re so generous with your humour and encouragement and time – you definitely deserved this, Teeni!
She really is a beautiful person all-around. I’d share who it was here but I don’t want to embarrass her and because I treasure the bond of friendship that we’ve been building so I want to keep that little bit personal just for me! But I will be sharing the love back at her and forward too! Thanks so much for your kind words, Kim! <3
Awwww, I feel all warm and fuzzy now.
See that? It even got through all the itchiness and made YOU warm and fuzzy! LOL. Hugs to you, Amanda! <3
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what a great thing..its nice hearing that theres still this kinda thing happening.
I agree, Janice! And wonderful people too! <3
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Just when you least expect it, there ARE some wonderful people in the world. Maybe that is what I need to adjust, not expecting it. Then I’ll be pleasantly surprised all the time! LOL
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