I received snail mail this week that filled me with delight. I love to get things in the mail. I am not talking about the countless Amazon boxes, but handwritten notes or cards. Joy mail makes my heart sing. As I read the return address, it is from Zatuilla. She is a friend I have made through my Pause Breathe Reflect community. I would describe Zatuilla as kind and soft-spoken. She is also very observant and a great listener. (The contents of the package revealed the latter traits.)
I was full of joy and excitement as I opened the envelope and saw the contents. Before I even read the included postcard, I was tearing up. Happy, happy tears.
My son says, “Mom, it is just a dishtowel. Why are you so excited?”
“First, it is not JUST a dish towel. It is called a tea towel and it is from Australia.”
Zatuilla, recently lost both of her parents. They died unexpectedly within a few days of each other. A beautiful testament to their love for one another and also a tremendous loss for Zatuilla. Losing a parent is difficult. I have lost my parents but there were 30 years between each loss. Time to process one before experiencing another loss. Zatuilla had to process so much loss in a short time frame. I am inspired by her ability to handle it with grace, grit, and tenacity.
As she was sorting through her parent's belongings, she found an unused dish towel from Australia in a drawer. She thought I might like it. You see, a few months ago we had a PBR room where everyone changed their profile picture to someplace they love or would like to go. I changed mine to the Sydney Opera House in Australia. I have always wanted to go to Australia since I was a teenager. I had a pen-pal in Australia and became obsessed with visiting there one day. I have planned trips in my mind. Todd and I have talked about visiting there someday. When we have more money. When we raise kids and become empty nesters. Having our daughter, Emily has altered our plans. She depends on us for her care. As long as we can care for her, we will never be empty nesters.
The postcard and towel made me happy. It is wonderful to know someone hears you and sees you. Zatuilla heard me that day. She remembered my desire to visit Australia. Her gift filled me with gratitude. My son was right. It is just a novelty towel that one may get at a souvenir shop or airport, but the thought behind the gift means the world to me.
Her gift also brought up memories of a dear friend in high school. Every summer my friend traveled the world with his grandma on wonderful adventures. For many years these adventures included Australia. He knew about my love and obsession with all things from Down Under. He would return with magazines, trinkets, postcards, and even Vegemite.
Amid the emotional task of going through her parent’s belongings, Zatuilla thought of me. Such a wonderful act of kindness that is magnified by the joy it rekindled in bringing old memories to the surface. Like hearing a song on the radio that takes you back to a place or time. The tea towel was a song.
Her gift reminded me there is kindness and goodness all around us. All we have to do is to look for it. Acknowledge the gifts that come our way each day. Sometimes they come in a song we hear on the radio, a smile from a stranger, someone holding a door open, and sometimes in a simple tea towel stowed away in a drawer.
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Seeing Goodness got to meet and know Billie during this pandemic.
What a gift her caring nature and her bright spirit have been!
Among many other hats, Billie hosts her own blog here,
https://conversation4change.com/blog/
where she stated, "I am a self-described caregiver. I love to help and care for others. I have learned the value of caring for myself as well. Now I want to live my life helping others learn to care for others and take care of themselves as well."
You can connect with her via her Linktree: https://linktr.ee/bgshort68
or via a comment below which will be forwarded to her.
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