Thursday, May 19, 2016

An Unexpected Gift


Yesterday, I had one of those days. You know the type. The kind of days that just feel so demanding. Colleagues being demanding. Heck, even strangers being demanding. Heavy rain that started just as I stepped out of the office to meet my friend for lunch.

After being talked over on the phone (one of my biggest pet peeves!) and groaning at an irritating email that pinged into my inbox just as I hung up, a curious envelope landed on my desk. It felt thick and heavy.

Inside, I found a beautiful card from India. And when I opened it, these stunning vintage postcards tumbled out. I was disorientated at first; the buildings looked familiar, but I couldn't quite place why. Then I looked closer: Bordeaux. Postcards made from photographs by Marcel Delboy (what a name!) that Karen Harvey (the talented writer and photographer behind I Don't Like Peas) happened upon in an antiques shop here in the UK.

So she sent them to me, knowing how much I'd loved our recent trip to the city and how much I adored the antiques we brought back as souvenirs.


Isn't that the nicest thing? The loveliest, kindest thing?

I read her card and her lovely words to me and my eyes pricked with tears.

Snail mail seems to reach me with unfathomably precise psychic timing these days. Days when I just need that little extra boost. I had no idea that the contents of that small, unexpected envelope would turn my day around so quickly. But they had, and I studied the monuments in each card closely, remembering where I'd stood just a few weeks ago to get the exact same views; where we sat sipping wine as little dogs that were let off their leashes came to patiently beg for food.

So, thank you, Karen. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

xo
SHARE:

24 comments

  1. That's is just so so lovely and thoughtful. I love receiving post - a hand written card is so special to me! And I keep them in a box once I've taken them down, I can't throw them away. Such a granny, haha. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it just, Vicky? I love hand-written notes and I still write thank you notes all the time! I keep cards for years too! xx

      Delete
  2. What a beautiful gift! Hand written letters, postcards and messages are really the most special and heartwarming thing!

    Arianna

    https://pandaonavespa.wordpress.com/welcome/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely, Arianna! Thanks so much for swinging by to read this post.

      Delete
  3. Happy Mail of the unexpected kind is the best, without doubt!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely, Ruth - I know that you're so good at sending it!

      Delete
  4. Such a lovely kind gesture - that kind of thing sure has a way of restoring your faith in humanity and the world doesn't it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Totally, Shikha. I really need to make more time to write to friends and pay it forward!

      Delete
  5. Oh Jaime, this is the sweetest little story! What a lovely reminder to make an effort with little gestures! *squishes eyes tight in an effort to remind my brain to do so....*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, you are TOO CUTE, Jess - I can picture you scrunching up your face now ...

      Delete
  6. Oh those are beautiful, I'm so happy you got them! Especially on one of those days... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so happy that I have them too, Scar! They were just such a lovely reminder of our trip and they cheered me up immensely.

      Delete
  7. That is really sweet. It is thoughtful gestures like that that make all the difference. Really lovely read! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Colleen! It is such a nice feeling to get real letters/presents in the mail! xx

      Delete
  8. How lovely is that? And perfect timing too, such a nice way to end one of those days!
    I love receiving post (not emails ha) and it's refreshing that it's still appreciated xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Real mail/post is definitely the best, Maya. I should really send some more often! Maybe I need to carve out time each weekend to write and send a batch of cards. (and OMG your blog is so badass - I love it!) xx

      Delete
  9. Sounds like the perfect cure for a rubbish day x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Totally was ... made my bad mood seem so silly x

      Delete
  10. So much love for postcards! They instantly transport you away. Our office is covered in them (as you can imagine) - like our own little world to float off into :-) x

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think my parents are pretty much the only ones who send me real post anymore! A friend of mine recently moved away and left me the loveliest letter in my tray at work - reading it brought tears to my eyes! I totally get it - such a thoughtful delivery, glad it arrived when you needed it most!

    Sophie :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Replies
    1. I know, Angie! Handwritten notes are the best. :)

      Delete
  13. Such a lovely gift but more importantly...a golden pineapple?! I need this in my life!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HAHA - I'm OBSESSED, Ayla! So much so that I almost bought a pineapple doorknocker ... my husband was okay with it but I came to my senses just in time. It would have looked a little OTT.

      Delete

© angloyankophile

This site uses cookies from Google to deliver its services - Click here for information.

Blogger Template Created by pipdig