Last week, I had a day of gifts. It all started when I responded to a freecycle ad requesting baby items. I had just days before washed up Jude's crib set and gathered up other baby blankets that I knew we needed to pass on to someone else.
The problem was I also felt reluctant to give away these items, especially the crib set, because I originally picked it out for my first son, Bennett, and never got to use it for him. When Jude was born, it was really important to me that these items got used. I don't understand it. Many people would have the exact opposite reaction, but this was mine. I kept hanging on to them thinking it would be nice to pass them along to someone I knew.
When I finally met the woman who placed the ad, I discovered that she made the request on behalf of her daughter who was a former student of mine. And I was so grateful for that. It turned out that her daughter was planning a home birth and so that was another connection that was made, as I birthed Jude at home.
Right after giving the items away, I went into the Natural Food Store that I used to work at and when I went to the counter to purchase some items, I discovered that even after I emptied out all my change I was $1 short. The owner and longtime friend graciously said to forget about it.
After that Jude and I went to the thrift store just to look...;) Jude found a 3-D puzzle that we thought would be fun to put together. You have to match up letters so I thought it would be good for letter recognition skills if he was into that. It was only 25 cents so I said sure. And then it dawned on me that I had just emptied out my purse of all change at the Natural Food Store. Just as I was telling Jude that we would have to put the puzzle back, I looked on the shelf right in front of me and low and behold there was a shiny quarter...head's up.
That night, as is our usual custom, I asked Jude what his favorite part of the day was, and he said playing with the castle...and I had to agree with him. With my deepest sincerity, I am incredibly grateful for this simple gift. It reminded me that it is only by letting go that we receive.



















