Something very special happened to me at Christmas. I came home one afternoon around 4pm and there on my doorstep was a takeaway food container neatly wrapped in Christmas paper. I was very good and popped the parcel near the tree to wait for Santa to deliver it at the appropriate time. I admired and read the accompanying card and hung it on my card tree writing the giver’s name on the still attached envelope. Somehow or other the envelope became detached from the parcel, so that when I sat down to unwrap my personal gifts from friends around 4pm on Christmas Day the parcel was still there, but the envelope had disappeared. Once I had removed the paper, I beheld a container filled to the brim with exquisite shortbread stars each absolutely perfect in its detail. They were so beautiful I felt they were too lovely to eat, but quickly surmounted that hurdle when I next had a coffee.
Those biscuits not only looked like they were made by an angel, but they also tasted as though it was indeed heavenly fare. Every hot drink was made more special by those delicious biscuits. A few days later I visited a close and dear friend who was having a tough time. I felt I should take a little gift. But what? Of course those remaining biscuits! Even when I parked outside their house, I still wasn’t sure I would take them in – I so didn’t want to share – they were just too delicious! The biscuits went in, and a cup of tea was shared with the biscuits! Naturally they were left behind and my friend’s husband has told me since how much he is enjoying them. The funny thing is – they were so hard to give away but the pleasure and joy I felt because I did, far surpassed anything I was expecting.
When we recently returned from a week in the fair city of Adelaide a lovely card depicting a white shrine and bright blue sky with a lovely message was waiting. Inside the card was a little package bulging with a mixture of seeds gathered from the sender’s garden. I can’t wait to see them blooming in our rustic wooden wheelbarrow made by my clever husband in our back garden. Every time my eyes behold their colour and beauty, I shall think of the kind heart who took the time to gather and post them.
That is what brotherly/sisterly love is all about – not the expensive gift that took five minutes to buy and was wrapped by the shop assistant, but the simple ones, that took time and thoughtfulness to produce and are wrapped up in love.
Mary