Saturday, May 29, 2010

~BE STILL MY 'VINTAGE-SILVER-LOVING' HEART~

~AN UNEXPECTED PINKY PRESENT~

For as long as I live I will never ever match the generous hearts of some of people I've met online in my life.  No kidding.  I never will.

For years I only THOUGHT I was a generous person.  But, since being introduced to the world of blogging I've been proven wrong over and over and over again.  I've decided that some people are just blessed with the gift of giving.  Whether it be their time, talents or lovely little presents birthed from somewhere deep in the heart, they just give and give and give some more.

I've known Melissa since early in my eBay days and today enjoy reading about her life and loves on her Blog, PINEY ROSE.  She is a sweet, amazingly talented friend and never fails to inspire those around her!  So, when she emailed me last week asking me for my snail mail address I was more than happy to forward it along!  As Melissa put it, she'd found something on one of her little shopping jaunts she thought I would like to have and wanted to send it my way...

How special is that?  And...how EXCITING!

Presents!  PreSENTS! PRESENTS!!!!

Well...after a day of doing super boring stuff that involved buying things like FENCE and DECK STAIN and plastic conduit for underground wiring projects (all things on my Mr. AGPMan 2-Do-Lists!) I couldn't wait to escape return to the comfort of my studio for some creative fun.  After we pulled into the driveway of our La Chaumiere de Briarwood I grabbed our Saturday  mail and  headed inside.  Safe at last!

It was then I found it.  A petite little package hand addressed to me with the return address of my Tennessean friend.  

I carefully pulled the pretty wrapped package from it's mailing envelope and set it down in front of me so I could read the note penned by Melissa's hand (don't you LOVE hand written notes?  It's beginning to be a lost art!)...

"Dearest Rebecca" it began...

(I always feel tears begin to burn in my eyes when someone begins a sentence with DEAREST!)

As I made my way down the page I couldn't believe how kind and thoughtful her words were to me.  They did what I'm sure she meant them to do...they blessed me.  And so, I read it again...and then they blessed me again.

Soft pink tissue and dainty flowers surrounded an unknown treasure.

"What did Melissa send me?"  I just couldn't imagine!
 ~DAINTY and EVER SWEET~

As I pulled back the pastel paper I stood in silence before letting out a soft, but audible gasp.  Right there, held between my two hands was the most lovely silver keepsake I'd seen in many a moon.  It is, what I believe to be, a vintage silver Calling Card Case, complete with working clasp and original chain handle.  Engraved on one side are the initials of someone I know must have been very special and on the other side is the single letter R.  

"R" for Rebecca...
~MY INITIAL R~

I turned the piece over and over in my hands and then gently opened it up.  The Case, still in wonderful condition, was so well cared for that  I could barely believe my eyes.
~THE INSIDE~

Now, I'm not 100% positive the Case was designed for Calling Cards...maybe it was for notes or maybe it was originally a compact.  I can't say for certain.  I only know  I absolutely love it.

"Miss M...thank you!  Truly, THANK YOU from the deepest part of my heart.  Not only for the generous, most beautiful gift, but for all the words of encouragement you've spoken to me and in my behalf over the past several years.  Additionally, I'll never forget your gracious praise back in 2004 and all it led to.  I still owe you so very much.   May God Bless you my friend...one hundred-zillion fold~ Love,Rebecca"

 Experiencing the generosity of others has taught me something very precious about my walk with my Lord...  No matter how things may be going in my life...good, great or even not-so-good, God cares about every tiny moment of it.  He never ever fails to guide His children my way.  And they always come, just when I'm in need of them most~

Blessings to you today as you lovingly, generously, bless others!

Love to you~

27 comments:

Julie Marie said...

Hello Rebecca, that is so beautiful! I do believe it is a vintage powder compact... my mama had one very similar that just held powder, no mirror, and was on a little chain like that... whatever yours is, it is lovely, just like you... xoxo Julie Marie

Unknown said...

Oh Rebecca, that is so beautiful... you are one blessed little gal...
Friends are the flowers in life's garden...
blessings,
glenda

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Oh Rebecca ~ that is so very very precious ! I too have been blessed this week by somebody I met online that I have never met in person ~ she was brought to me by the Lord for just the right time and place ~
Thank you Jesus for our sweet blessings ~
xoxo
Lori

Kim said...

Hi Rebecca. I just got back from a long day of barbequeing with friends/neighbors and thought I'd check in on my blog friends. I came across your post first and couldn't help but check it out (your title had me at "hello"). And I just had to comment. From the moment I found you and your blog I pegged you for being a true Southern lady. You embody everything I envision when I think of what it means to be a lady and the respect that comes with that title - class, gentleness, honesty and generosity, among others. You have the very gift you mentioned, by virtue of the fact that you touch me with every post. To me, generosity doesn't necessarily mean giving something tangible, but rather giving something that stays with you in mind and spirit. So thank you for that gift you have given to me Rebecca.
xoxo,
Kim

Rose said...

reaching out to someone and they doing the same in return is a blessing. nice surprise. have a good day. rose

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Ohhh, what a lovely little case! I'm such a sucker for anything silver ~ I would soooo try to take that from you if it had an S on it! :0)

What a precious friend you have!!

Happy PS!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Melissa/Piney Rose said...

I am SO glad you like it-I just knew you would! I too thought it was probably a calling card case -looks like a little purse, and I'm a fool for small things like that; anything child-size is just adorable. Thank you so much for your kind words, Rebecca - you are a dear friend, and I'm so glad we met!

Maria said...

What loveliness...
of friendship
and of a giving heart
♥ Maria

Laura said...

Rebecca-
This is such a nice post.
What a thoughtful gift!

Laura

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

What a precious and thoughtful gift. I know you will cherish it!

Unknown said...

What a thoughtful and gorgeous gift. That little silver case is to.die.for.

Ginger said...

Rebecca, how blessed you are. That little case is soooo YOU and even has your initial on it. Just lovely. I have found through blogging there are so many lovely hearts out there, such loving, giving souls. So glad joy came your way that day.

Hugs
Ginger

Unknown said...

We are all joined together thru Him ... how blessed we all are.

And, how generous a 'family of friends' there are ... it is such joy & so fun to 'give' ... making our hearts full & friends blessed.

Have a beautiful day.
TTFN~ Hugs, Marydon

Victorian1885 said...

Dear Rebecca you are truly blessed with so many loving..giving friends! Have a great rest of the weekend..

Hugs,
Wanda

The French Bear said...

Beautiful and sweet and thoughtful, love your gift and your friend!!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Carol said...

There were so many beautiful accolades posted here from several who feel they are Blessed to know you, Rebecca. You have touched lives and doing it so humbly & graciously.

I was so inspired with Kim's Post. She put into words my exact thoughts & feelings, but so eloquently. Yup, it was a hanky time moment As Kim says, you are the embodiment of a true Southern Lady.

The sterling gift is priceless..isn't the initialed scroll work intricate & sweet?

Have a great weekend

Love & Hugs from Good O'l Texas
Carol

Lady Pamela said...

Unexpected blessings are the best kind. I am glad the little keepsake has found a new home and someone who will treasure it for many years.

Rebecca Nelson said...

Simply put...

It is ALL OF YOU who bless me...

"SAVIOR LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US
MUCH WE NEED THY TENDER CARE...!"

xo~Rebecca

Anonymous said...

Precious, precious! Makes me so glad to be a woman! ♥

June said...

Rebecca this is over the top goodness!!! It is a beautiful piece and sweet Melissa is such a thoughtful friend...and NO one deserves it more than you!!!
hugs

Privet and Holly said...

FANTASTIC! It is a whole new world, isn't it??? I still feel like a newbie, but also that I've been enfolded in many many warm and lovely arms. What a special GIFT your sweet blog is, Rebecca! xx P&H

Ginny said...

Oh Rebecca, what a blessing. Just this week I received something from a blogger. I asked her to do something for me, and she did and when it came in the mail, I was shocked. I emailed her to tell me what I owed her and would send out a check and she said all she wanted was a cyber hug....It made me cry.
There is hope for this world of ours I believe.

Terra said...

What an appropriate gift for you, Miss R, with the beautiful R on it, and how thoughtful of Melissa. Surprise "no reason in particular" gifts are extra sweet.

Beach House 27 said...

Hi Rebecca,

Your friend Melissa is so very thoughtful - now I'm inspired to be a more thoughtful person, and actually give or send gifts I find treasure hunting quicker and more often.

And you're very thoughtful for telling us about your amazing gift -

Thanks for the inspiration - both of you.

Marsha

Rita said...

God does care about every little, tiny thing in our lives and He has so blessed us with gifts of friendship. I thank Him for the friends that I have made through blogging.

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Ahhhhhhhhhhh...........isn't that just the most beautiful thing ever???? Both the Friendship and the sweet gift....so dear and special. I'm sure they will BOTH be lifelong treasures.

Huggies!
S

Mosaic Magpie said...

What a beautiful gift and even more beautiful she thought of you when she found it. Surely a treasure you will love.
Debbie

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