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Words of Wisdom

Thursday, December 30, 2010

I love receiving handmade gifts. This year, for Christmas, I was very lucky to get some very thoughtful items. I wanted to feature one of them here. Above is a simple jar filled with colorful strips of paper. At first glance, you may think, hmmm...that's a pretty decoration, maybe.

Upon closer inspection, though, you notice it is a fancier jelly jar and the strips of paper have words on them. When Don's grandmother handed me the jar, we were in a rush to load up and leave. I'm certain she wanted to have a better and longer moment to linger over the gift, but she tucked it in my hand and I immediately went to bundle up Mari. In the background, I could hear laughter and heard a quote. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I was not fully present in the moment. Maybe this is just me, but do you ever hear what people say, lock it away and later reflect? This particular moment was such a moment.

When we got in for the night, I was tired and reflecting on the night. I had anxiety over a neighbor's phone call about a strange man inquiring about our home when we weren't home. I had anxiety over the relative telling me of their stomach virus. I had anxiety over Mari's reaction for Christmas day. I was exhausted and in the quiet of the night when I was uncomfortable and the beginnings of the sickness were happening, I remembered the jar and what she said.

"I like to collect little sayings. I've been doing it for as long as I can remember. I discovered that I had them written down all over the place. I've been doing this for years. This year, I typed up 365 different short sayings. Took it to the print shop, where they printed it for me on different colored paper. Then I took it home and cut out each saying and stuffed 365 different ones in each jar. I hope you enjoy the phrases as much as I did."

I felt guilty I didn't get the chance to hug her for that gift. I vaguely remember smiling and thanking her when she handed it to me. I remember being excited, but I also felt the pull to my daughter who was about to climb up on the glass coffee table and demonstrate her tap dancing ability.

I took the jar to work with me. I will stay with me there. Each day I will incorporate opening the jar and reading a new slip of paper. If you are my friend on Facebook, you will read the sayings in a status update. I will share the first one with you here:
Wrinkles are the service stripes of life. 




Isn't that the truth? I'd also like to add to that, so are stretch marks. :)

2 comments:

The Potts Family said...

I LOVE this idea. I'm so stealing it for next year!!

Unknown said...

What a moving gift... Certainly one to treasure. I've always agreed that wrinkles are indeed the service stripes of life... Hence, why I will embrace ea. one that reach me. And I do in fact at times, hear what people say and lock it away and later reflect. Sweet post...

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