
I could not stop staring at the hand-painted design on the manilla envelope.
Who sent this beautiful package?
My gaze zeroed in on the return address.
Lori-Anne?! Our paths haven’t crossed in quite a while.
I peeled the envelope flap back and pulled out the contents.
My jaw dropped.
I pressed the hand-painted journal against my chest.
Notepaper floated out of the journal like gossamer-winged angels.
I picked up the hand-written notes off of my lap.
Tracy,
I hope you don’t mind that I’ve taken creative liberty with one of your designs . . . Just for You.
You have been popping into my thoughts. For me, this usually means that person needs something . . .
Maybe just a note, a smile or some little thing that tells them they are being thought of.
Please accept this gift in the spirit of a Random Act of Kindness. On this snowy, grey day, I hope it brings you Joy.
May this new year be filled with more joyful surprise, adventure and wonder-filled days.Be excited for all the good things to come.
Love Lori-Anne
Tears streamed down my face and then turned into sobs of gob-smacked joy.
* * *
A year has passed since I received this “Random Act of Kindness”. And as I write this post, tears freely flow and my heart still bursts with gob-smacked joy!
Lori-Anne also painted a matching pen. A pen I use in my precious journal where I record encouraging notes others have sent me, inspiring quotes, my art and book ideas, Big Bible Blessings, and prayers of gratitude.
* * *
Lori-Anne, if you’re reading this, thank you for breathing new life into my coloring page, Plant Seeds of Love. I don’t know your belief system, but what I do know is that my heavenly Father used you in a mighty way. And I say this with confidence because the Big Bible Blessing that accompanied that coloring page read:
“I am with you and will help you. People will till your soil and plant seeds in you” (Ezekiel 36:9 ERV).
You definitely tilled my soil and planted seeds of love. Thank you, again, for the hours I know you spent on hand-painting the envelope, the pen, and the journal. And thank you so much for sharing your heart of love with me. You’re a gossamer-winged angel.
* * *
I met Lori-Anne many years ago at a craft show. In fact, the very first journal I ever bought was a Lori-Anne original.I do hope you’ll take time to follow Lori-Anne’s Facebook Shop, A Simpler Time.
Blessings of Love,
Tracy
P.S. Check out the coloring page “Plant Seeds of Love” in my inspirational coloring book, Calm Coloring: Faith, Hope & Love (Art & Soul Therapy for Kids-At-Heart).
P.P.S. HAPPY 86TH BIRTHDAY, DAD!
This post first appeared on Tracy Campbell’s blog.