Unexpected Gifts

Today was my first day back in the saddle of classes, meetings, errands, etc. after feeling ill for a few days.  By the time I got home, with my backpack full of papers and my hands full of groceries, I was draggin’ a bit and so I climbed my stairs without looking up … until I got to the top and noticed a humongous box in my way.  A microwave box.  With my name on it as “ship to”.  Odd … I’m sure I didn’t order a microwave.

I dragged the box inside and looked all over – no indication of who it’s from.  I opened it up.  Still … no indication of who its from.  So, now I have a beautiful, professional microwave sitting in a box in my living room – and I have very very very few clues on where its’ come from.  I’m hoping to find out … and haven’t yet unpacked it and found it a home in my kitchen.

When I first saw the box, sitting there quietly waiting for me to get home, and I saw my name on it – my eyes welled up with tears.  There is something so beautiful about an unexpected gift – entirely heartwarming – and it renews my sometimes cynical outlook on whether or not I’m actually appreciated by anyone.

There are so many unexpected gifts in my day, and often I take them for granted and don’t acknowledge them.  When a classmate asks for help and is so happy to look at a situation in a new way, when someone calls to brag about an evolving situation that they have put so much time and effort into, when I stop to visit the new cafe and I’m taken all over to be shown every inch of the place, those are all gifts to me.  When I look up from working on a project and the skies are infused with colors from the sun that has just slid below the horizon – that’s a gift.  When I sit with a group of friends and share my writing and get back smiles and compliments – that’s a gift.

There have been times in my life when I’ve been able to offer gifts like the microwave to family and friends – and it’s a great blessing to be able to give to others in unexpected ways.  This is one of the very few times in my life when I’ve been on the receiving end of a gift like this – with no apparent strings attached anywhere at all.  I’m not used to it – but I like this feeling as well.

Today – all I can say is Wow! Thanks! Whoever you may be….