When a Gift Humbles a Heart

This past week I returned from two weeks of
 Grandma time in Michigan

 and had the surprise of a wonderful gift waiting for me.

In a pink gift bag was a folded up fabric
 piece in multi-bright hues.

I unpacked this beautiful pieced
 and quilted table runner.
in colors that danced summer
with fabrics that looked 70 years old
 in their colors and patterns
with a red striped edging and insert

to play with the last peony of the season
 and the wild strawberries in a vase

and to capture the early evening sun's rays
 on the picnic table outback
by the rusty old wheel thing of unknown origin
and brought me enchanted delight

This gift-

 from someone that had never met me before

-to say thank you.

But, in such an outrageous and generous gesture

of taking the time to make something by hand

and risking how it might be received.

But the giving was so unselfish- 

nothing was expected in return.

And so I sent the thank you
but somehow that did not seem
 like it matched the gift.
And so, dear Jean,
I stop a moment to tell the story
 here and mark the moment.
And hope to encourage another person to 
give a wildly personal and heart-felt gift to 
someone in their lives- they only know by name.


Who can you bless with such a gift in your life?
Take the risk. It is worth it.