A Gift Not Forgotten

Hello Everyone,

First and Foremost, I am sorry it has been so long since I've last posted.........In all honesty, I probably say something along those lines at the beginning of every post. So! Instead, just know that there are long pauses in between posts and that when I do post it will just have to be treasured. :)

Yesterday I came home from the longest semester I have ever experienced in my time at college. Best part....it's over. My post is actually about what I found when I came home. I discovered that I had received a package from a friend, Mrs. Michiko, in Japan. I was surprised because I couldn't remember the last time I wrote her a letter. I opened the letter and in reading it remembered that I had sent her a care package around the time of the earthquake. She thanked me dearly for sending it and let me know, "I went and sent your warm-heart box to junior high school in Kesennuma... "

How beautiful. I had forgotten how hard I had worked to send a relief package to her in hopes that she could pass it along to those in need. A few months later coming to find out that your efforts were not in vain. That because of someone's unconditional help and devotion you were able to comfort someone in need. So many times I am faced with people not even trying to help in the small ways because they don't think it will change anything or make any difference, that they're (my) efforts would be wasted. Well, here I am, filled with joy because my efforts were not wasted. But please understand that I make no claim that it was all my doing either. It took someone with the same vision to take action. What beauty lies in the good that comes from people standing together. But not just standing together. So often we hear the phrase, "stand together" and with it come attachments of aggression or discontentment. Dare I say, I believe much greater good comes when we stand together in love and compassion, mercy and grace. What would the world look like if more of us approached the world as such? Honest, take a moment to think about that. I hope the image brings you as much joy and it's brought me.

Hope you're all doing well,
Carli