Today was one of those days where my head spins around five billion times & somehow still lands on my neck making me still look human. There were Christmas trees to be decorated at work (don’t ask), meetings (really, don’t ask), & an appointment that was an hour late (I’ll ask the questions there, thankyouverymuch). By the time we dragged into the driveway in the dark, my feet were aching & my head was pounding. It was just one of those days that is the entire reason Monday carries such a gloomy stereotype.
Until I checked the mail. Bills, bills, some weird life insurance offer, bills, magazine, &…an envelope for me.
I opened it up & out dropped a letter & tissue paper-wrapped gift.
Dearest Blair,
The quote above (don’t even know who said it) meant a lot to me after the birth of my son. I, like you, would feel so better for days on end, only to slip again. A dear friend of mine bought me this necklace from The Vintage Pearl & gave this simple advice: ‘Capture the good times. You’ll need them to get through the bad times.” This wisdom, & this necklace, helped me fight my way back. Back to my son, back to myself, back to life. I don’t so much need it anymore, so here it is, my gift to you. Capture the good times.
Love,
Ashley
I blinked back tears. If there is one thing that the blogging world has taught me, it’s that friends can be found in every corner of the universe. & being found on the internet does not make them any less able to touch my heart. Now, I have a beautiful necklace dangling from my neck, to remind me to constantly change yet remember where I’ve come from.
It’s the only way I will continue to grow as both a person & a mother.
Thank you, Ashley. A million times over.
What an awesome gift, amazing friend and wonderful advice. I hope it truly carries you through as much as your friendships do if/when you need it.
::tears streaming down face::
Again. You my dear capture the words for us all.
Lots of love!
Beautiful! I love simple, random acts of kindness.
This totally choked me up. What a great friend. Nothing better than a random act of kindness!
Thank goodness for friends – no matter where you’ve met them and sometimes if you’ve even “met” them at all.
Simply beautiful…blogsphere friends have helped me out more than I can thank.
that is so amazingly beautiful. how awesome that she shared that with you. she wouldnt have been able to share with you had you not been open, honest and willing to let us all in to your life. hugs!
Love the quote. What a way to turn an awful day around!
I am in tears! (of course) What a lovely surprise!
Love that
Isn’t it funny how these things ALWAYS show up at the perfect time? It’s beautiful!
Wow, that’s so cool that total strangers love you enough to do something like that. Amazing!
How beautiful!
That’s awesome! What a sweet random act of fun kindness. What a great quote & beautiful necklace too! Enjoy!
Very sweet!
How thoughtful, and what perfect timing! I love the quote.
that is sooo sweet. that necklace is perfect for you. i’m so glad ashley knew!
what a great gift! and great inspiration!
Capture. Wow, such a simple and strong word! I look at my camera as I walk out the door almost every day and think about how upset I’m going to be if something on the lovely foggy streets of SF is going to inspire me and I’m going to be forced to use my cell phone to attempt to capture it! I think you and Ashley just inspired me to do whatever I have to so I can bring along the SLR every day, regardless of the fact that its so big It looks like I’m carrying three half eaten cakes in my purse. Whatevs, it will be worth it!
Thank you for sharing this purely kind act of generosity with all of us!
Wow, that just made me tear up at my desk! How beautiful!
Blair,
You probably don’t remember me from the bump (branflake09)- but I know EXACTLY how you feel. Two of my closest friends came from the bump and when I had my second baby recently, they both sent me the most beautiful and thoughtful gifts and I was blown away at the kindness of *strangers*. I love the necklace and I hope you’re doing well.
-bran
Amazing! There still are good people out there in the midst of all the crazies
so very lovely! I just ordered one for my sister (xmas gift) it’s gorgeous, so thrilled to have found their shop!
So proud of you for running on your own. I started out last year running “for real”. I just did it every once in a while at first. You will get addicted! I just finished my first half marathon, which I swore I’d never do. Last year I did my first 10k, which I swore I’d never do! I just did it on Sunday!
This post made me tear up. What a sweet friend!