A word about "real" friends or acts of kindness from perfect strangers...
I know a lot of people. And frankly I make a distinction between acquaintances and friends. What really makes a friend? I know so many people I am friendly with and they know the car I drive and the typical outfit I wear and how my hair is and who my children are...but do they really know me? I would premise that they know me less than many of you here do. They know my outer self and you know the workings of my mind and heart. I find this paradox infinitely interesting.
For example I received a gift yesterday, not from someone I "know" but rather from someone I met on BYC. Someone who read comments I made and just from those comments ascertained more about me than those in my "real" world realized. She sent me a most perfect gift.
I walked into the house late yesterday after a long day and my youngest son came running forward proffering a package, a package smallish, rectangular and wrapped in paper bag. I loooved that it was wrapped in paper bag; it put me in mind of gifts from long ago. So while one child was prancing and chanting "open it, open it" the other was groaning and muttering "its probably just books, moooore books" (yes I used to buy lots of books).
Well we ripped it open and the most delightful aroma wafted up...but I couldn't for the life of me figure out the scent. What I received was exactly what one needs to make wine. I have very much been wanting to make wine. I received a bubbler, yeast, sugar etc. - everything I would need. And she oh-so-cleverly wrapped the fragile bits in a package of... coffee beans. That lovely smell was coffee beans...creme brulee coffee beans.
She will never read this post because, to my knowledge she isn't on SS. Oh but how kindness touches the heart. I have often in the past sent gifts to random people that have touched my life. I will continue to do so because I know how nice this felt. How sweet it is to receive kindness from strangers. Our big, big world is a little smaller, a little more tight knit, a little friendlier.