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Warning: This is a little long, but I think it's worth sharing.
I go to my local public library at least once a week, and have gotten friendly with a young black woman who works at the counter. She is a single mom with a young daughter, and is so friendly and helpful when I'm there.
I made a personalized altered composition book and a washer necklace and left it at the desk for her before Christmas.
I received this note from her in the mail. A letter like this sure makes up for all the times we may wonder if our handmade gifts are appreciated:
"Dear Annette,
Thank you so much for the very lovely necklace and wonderful notebook. You have a special knack and talent for making beautiful and useful items. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the notebook as I'm always looking for something to write in. Now I have something that is handy and pretty too!
The necklace looks great with a new dress purchase and compliments my skin tone. You really did think of everything.
I am very much moved and humbled and thankful for your gifts. When I look at them I see your time, energy and the thoughtfulness you put into them. I appreciate it all and you have opened my eyes to how heartfelt homemade gifts are.
In fact, you have inspired me to spend more time with my daughter with our hands instead of just dashing off to the store. We are now haunting Hobby Lobby and Michaels to find items to make. She enjoys it so much and is also learning how to be creative.
Not everyone can look at something plain and simple and imagine it grand and wondrous. I hope she will have that talent like you, as it makes for a person that enjoys life to the fullest and sees the positive in situations, or how to change it for the better.
Sincerely, Shanelle"
Happy New Year to everyone. Keep creating and giving. You never know who you will inspire.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Annette truly is a special person and this I know from first hand experience. Its these kind of responses to our efforts that really do make it all worthwhile.
This is what it is all about - making others feel good. You made her happy and she made you happy and you made all of us happy by letting us know ! Thanks Annette
Just wondering..Is there a reason you shared that the woman was black and single?
Maybe because Black is Beautiful and the young lady mentions that the necklace is perfect for her skin tone, so she wanted us to picture this lovely young woman with her beautiful skin tone.??
Evelyn beat me to it - but yes, Cheryl, there were a couple of reasons for using those words to describe my friend. She wrote in her letter:
"The necklace looks great with a new dress purchase and compliments my skin tone. You really did think of everything."
That was the reason for letting you know she is black. She does have a beautiful complexion, reminds me of coffee with a dash of rich cream. And I did put a lot of thought into the color for her necklace. I was so pleased she liked it, as I pictured her in it when I made it.
I have a very soft spot and huge respect for single moms. I was a single mom myself for a few years. I know how hard it is to work full time and be a mother. You have little time for yourself, and I was so touched that she took some of that precious time to write me such a touching note. It made it all the more meaningful to me, and I hoped, to all of you.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Evelyn beat me to it - but yes, Cheryl, there were a couple of reasons for using those words to describe my friend. She wrote in her letter:
"The necklace looks great with a new dress purchase and compliments my skin tone. You really did think of everything."
That was the reason for letting you know she is black. She does have a beautiful complexion, reminds me of coffee with a dash of rich cream. And I did put a lot of thought into the color for her necklace. I was so pleased she liked it, as I pictured her in it when I made it.
I have a very soft spot and huge respect for single moms. I was a single mom myself for a few years. I know how hard it is to work full time and be a mother. You have little time for yourself, and I was so touched that she took some of that precious time to write me such a touching note. It made it all the more meaningful to me, and I hoped, to all of you.
I loved your descriptions - your words make pictures in my head and makes it easier to picture your lovely friend Shanelle and her new necklace.
I too have a very soft spot for single moms. My parents divorced when my twin sister and I were 5 years old. Mom raised us by herself, working 3 jobs sometimes, and did everything she could to make life wonderful for us.
Annette - you are very loved on this site! Thanks for sharing your story and sending hugs to Shanelle and her daughter - they sound delightful :p And what a beautiful name - Shanelle.
__________________ Lorraine
Wife to an awesome DH, Mommy to an adorable DS who is on the spectrum for autism, and Twin Sister to Linda
I loved your descriptions - your words make pictures in my head and makes it easier to picture your lovely friend Shanelle and her new necklace.
I too have a very soft spot for single moms. My parents divorced when my twin sister and I were 5 years old. Mom raised us by herself, working 3 jobs sometimes, and did everything she could to make life wonderful for us.
Annette - you are very loved on this site! Thanks for sharing your story and sending hugs to Shanelle and her daughter - they sound delightful :p And what a beautiful name - Shanelle.
Thank you so much for sharing this! What a wonderful letter! I love how she mentioned that she knows you spent a lot of time on your gift.
Making homemade gifts is so special....all the time spent thinking of the person you are creating the gift for throughout the whole process. Makes me smile!!
Wonderful way to start the New Year!
