This week, as I unpacked and cleaned and straightened, I came across a box packed with picture I want to keep close – pictures of my children as little ones, of my own school days, pictures of Christmases and birthdays and vacations. There was also a sweet little painting my niece Melanie made, framed, and gave me quite a few years ago. It is a mama mouse caring for her baby mouse. Very cute. It has had a premier spot on my office cabinet shelf since the day I got it.
I took the picture out of the box and was in the process of setting it on a shelf above my computer when a piece of paper fell out. It was folded up small and sealed with a tiny sticker. I opened it up and read: “My dearest Kay Kay, What would I be without you?…” Melanie expressed her feelings for me, what I had meant to her, and how I had helped and encouraged her. So much love in so tiny a note!
Melanie is all grown up now, with three married children and a grandbaby. We live far apart and haven’t seen each other in quite a while. But that note blessed me beyond words.
How could it be that a little folded note could stay tucked inside a simple slide-in frame for years, then one day suddenly fall out? Here is my explanation: That note, written with love, stayed tucked away until the moment I was meant to read it. Until a time when I needed encouragement. A time when I needed to know there is value in my life. And this happened to be that time.
Thank you, Melanie, for this unexpected Christmas gift of love and encouragement. I will pass those blessings on by writing a surprise note to someone who has blessed my life. In fact, I will make that a new Christmas tradition!
Blessed Christmas to you, sweet niece.
And a blessed Christmas to all of you! Won’t you help me pass it on?
There are two ways of spreading light:
to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
~Edith Wharton~
Oh, Kay, what a blessing you received in that small, folded-up note. You are indeed quite special to many, many people…though I do know that sometimes we need a little burst of a surprise to let us know just how special we are. Lots of love to you and Merry Christmas!
B.J.