The Grinch's Good Mail

I don't know how to write this because I'm going to look bad. In addition, other people might get their feelings hurt. Which is really not my point. Just keep reading. You'll see.

I was introduced to blogging through Jenny. I had never heard of a blog as a means of keeping in touch before May of last year. I had only heard the term "blog" in regard to news, Drudge report, election fodder, etc. When Jenny told me about hers, I read it for two months before I jumped in. At first I felt like a voyeur. I didn't have an account or anything and didn't know how to leave comments so just read without her ever knowing. It also never occurred to me to read any body else's blog.

I started blogging in July and went through that honeymoon phase where you read EVERYBODY'S blog. That was when I first learned about the catch phrase "good mail". I was impressed by everyone's thoughtfulness but also scoffed at the amount of time, expense, effort, and energy that went into all of it. As I wasn't involved in it, it was easy for me to be judgmental reading post after post about people's new treasures. I guess I thought it was a little showy. I can't believe I just wrote that and am sure I'm going to some kind of blog outer darkness for admitting it, but it's true.

If I'm playing the honesty card, I will also admit that the reason for my scorn was probably due to my own weakness and laziness. I'm a lazy friend. I love my friends. I love my family. But I am low maintenance and generally treat my loved ones the same way. It's like the jocks that make fun of the kids in math club. They make fun of them because they know they aren't smart enough to be in it. They might not know that's why they are making fun of them but if they really soul searched...

I knew immediately that this was a group that I couldn't be part of. I'm not cutesy. I'm not crafty. And let's not forget that I'm lazy. But I think I already mentioned that.

I mailed Jenny something this week. Nothing cutesy and certainly not crafty. In fact, nothing is a display of my skills unless you include driving through a drive-thru a skill. And I didn't consider it good mail. It was a good, old-fashioned care package and it took me three weeks to actually mail it. When I mailed it, it felt incredibly good. And the excitement I felt about her getting it felt even better.

Meanwhile, an unexpected package arrived at my doorstep yesterday. I opened it and it was the nicest card from Kelly with a gift card to Red Robin (which is our family's favorite restaurant). She said that she wished she could bring me dinner during my busy week but was using Red Robin as an alternative. And she seemed genuinely proud of me for this choir thing. I was very touched.

From Kelly. A girl after my own heart! I love the Fiesta Pollo Salad!

Today, a package from Dana arrived with an absolutely stunning, black onyx necklace, some lotion, candy and card. Pure kindness. It almost leaves me speechless (but not fingerless - I can still type!).

This picture does not do the necklace justice. It sparkles and is heavy. Quality stuff.

These are two women I barely know. I have no idea what Kelly even looks like. But, as Sally Field so eloquently said years ago, "They like me! They really like me!"

And the Grinch's heart grew three times today.

Thank you. You are beautiful women.