What a Gift!

I woke up this morning to find this lovely Etsy conversation in my mailbox. I don't know Audrey and she didn't know me before she read her Mary Engelbreit Newsletter this week but what a wonderful "Gift" she has given to me here the day after Christmas. Please indulge me by reading the kind things that she wrote to me.

"Just wanted to say hello to you!
Hi Vicki!
I was reading my Mary Engelbreit newsletter this morning and saw "Cherry Chick" listed on her "Blog Roll." I liked the name of your Blog -- it sounded whimsical and cute! I figured you would like Mary Engelbreit as much as I do so I clicked on your Blog. Now, I don't know much about how a blog works as it seems I click on one place and end up somewhere different which leads to somewhere else, etc. I do know, however, that after reading your "home" page, I so enjoyed your posted pictures AND your sense of humor! I just wanted to write to let you know this. I also wanted to express my awe at your lovely handwork and jewelry making. If I could afford it, I would buy every item you make! (As fate would have it, however, I am unemployed, going on 2.5 yrs now) Out of all your lovely jewelry creations I especially love your "Pink Beaded Bracelet" -- MY GOODNESS! It's just SO PRETTY! What fine needle work - it must have taken you forever! If you read my Etsy profile, you'll see that I truly appreciate a person's time and love that they invest in something handmade. Anyway, all this being said, I just wanted to add that after reading your blog and seeing your beautiful jewelry, I know you must be a very nice person. After all - you love beading and Mary Engelbreit -- my two most favorite things in the world! :) Take good care.
Audrey"

It's conversations like this and all the sweet comments that people leave that make all the time spent on blogging worth it.  For me, blogging is a way to use my creative energy and to stay in touch with others who have similiar interests. It's, also, a way to remind me how grateful I should be for how fortunate I am. I may have a broken heart now, I may have lost my most favorite pet this year (gheez..it still makes me cry to write it down), I may have to pinch pennies like so many others out there in world but the good stuff still out weighs the bad. One day at a time is what I tell myself.  One day I got a kind letter from Audrey. Her "gift" cost nothing but it is invaluable to me.
If I could send everyone to Audrey's shop on Esty I would but she doesn't seem to "sell" anything. I read through her profile and this is what she wrote at the end of it....

"Besides "creating" something, the most gratifying part of my day is to help someone out or make someone smile, even if it's something simple like paying someone a compliment. So, to whomever is reading this - Thank you for your time, I wish you the best and have fun being creative!"

Audrey...you should feel gratified today as you have made ME smile and I Thank You for your Gift.