A few days ago when T. was mowing the yard, he noticed our neighbor, Helen, standing at the fence flagging him down. After he stopped the lawnmower and headed over, she handed him a tiny post-it booklet (pictured above) and told him that she had made it for me. "I know she is very busy," she said, "and I want her to have this gift."Now, for those of you who know me, you can imagine my reaction when T. passed along my little present and the story behind it. Not only was I enamored by the sheer cuteness of it all, but I was also struck by how well Helen has read me over the past few years via simple conversations over her lilac (or snow, depending on the season)-covered fence.
I am grateful to Helen for many reasons, especially for reminding me just how special handmade gifts are. Knowing that someone took the time to think about you, then sit down and actually make something for you, is humbling...and a greater gift than the gift itself.
