This morning, I was listening to the radio and sorting through some Christmas presents and organizing. I came across my basket of advent matchboxes. I had looked through some of them quickly when I received them but hadn't actually started opening one a day on December 1st. I was so busy getting ready for my Ohio trip to Kari's for the big Diva Bash weekend.
Now, I had time to think about it. I started looking through them and started with one and opened each one, read the verse, looked at the designer of each up until today. Again, I was so touched by Katie Hogue's gift to me of this complete set. It was a total surprise and I felt such gratitude for this new friend. We have many common bonds and her giving spirit has blessed my life with this gift.
That got me to thinking about Kari and all that she and her husband did to get ready for the deluge of crazy women at their house. The preparations for meals, sleeping arrangements and having their house so holiday-ready and festive so early in the season. It was a gift in itself. No one wanted for a thing the entire weekend. Even drawers in the bathrooms and bedrooms had a tag labeled with stamped letters "Guests." It was a clever way to let the guest know where they could find extras of soap, shampoo or even a drawer to put their clothes. Such thought was put into it all.
This again brought me around to how very blessed and thankful for my friends...old and new and how much they have enriched my life. This has been a difficult year in many ways especially with the loss of my father. I miss him but will always have wonderful memories and wisdom that he left with us all. Our country is going through so many changes. Hardly a person alive is untouched by job loss or family members who have lost jobs. Then there's illness or aging parents. My sister-in-law's ongoing battle with cancer has rocked our family's sense of well-being, but she continues to battle on valiantly and with her indomitable spirit.
My friends, Aileen and Jean, stuck by me through some very tough times and I'm thankful more than words can say. The Altered Art Divas are an amazing group of women that have brought laughter and love into my life again and again. I don't know what I do without them. Carla Naron of Collage Cats is another friend I am very thankful for.
I have made friends on Facebook that I look forward to hearing from every day such as Bobby Miller, Laura McNall and Tammy Reniff.
What other gifts could I get this year to top that?
You're not going to believe this but I had not finished typing that but a second when I got a call from European Papers telling me that I had won on the torso that I had bid on! It was the very colorful one that I loved! I can't believe it! Wow!
Thank you all for being there and sharing your stories, comments, your concerns, your love. I wish you the best year in 2010 that you've ever had.
I appreciate your indulging my sentimental mood today.
Christy