Monday, February 8, 2010

moment of mindfulness...quarters from heaven


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.


25 comments:

  1. oh what a sweet day! its so nice to have days like that every so often :-)

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  2. Very sweet! I know it's not the same, but there were also things that my daughter used that were very important to me that my son also use. Some items are just sentimental or our attachment desires a certain completion. How nice that on the day you let go of these you had other sweet experiences to mark the occasion. :)

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  3. Wow, it is days like these that just make you feel that there is divinity everywhere.

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  4. I can understand your reluctance to give the crib away, and I'm glad you received a castle!

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  5. What a day of great gifts. So much to be thankful for. Such a beautiful story.

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  6. elizabeth. mmmmm, this is so magical, yet so simple and ordinary, and just... OF COURSE. little jude, he's so sweet. and i don't know how to let go of so many baby things. i am inspired by the beauty and light that followed your letting go. and i know, that when the time is right, the letting go will happen. like with that diary i burned a while back. it was easy when the time was right. luckily i don't need to rush anything....and, btw, my veggie stock rocked!! thank you so much for that inspiration!our lentil soup last night was the best ever, and everyone loved it. yay.

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  7. Now that is an incredible story of karma. Wow!

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  8. What a neat experience! I think it's so wise to write down and "document" special moments like this for our children to read and learn from later in their lives... not to mention all the others (like me) that are so inspired and blessed by reading of these cherished experiences too! So, thank you for sharing this post! :0)

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  9. beautiful, beautiful story in so many ways. thank you for sharing this i agree with the above commenter 'karma' : )

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  10. what goes around comes around. what a lovely post. you've given me a smile and a reminder of the good out there!
    nicola
    http://whichname.blogspot.com

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  11. This is a wonderful story, all the more so for taking the time to capture and recall. Thanks for sharing.

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  12. Such a beautifully aligned Day.

    Happiness in hand me downs on all fronts.

    You are very generous.

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  13. How awesome that the crib went to someone you taught. LOVE that you gave your guy's 'baby' crib and received a 'big boy' castle. beautiful story about embracing change. thank you for sharing.

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  14. What a wonderful story. I understand how you felt about the crib. I still have Huon's cot and he's nearly 10!
    Letting go seems to be what I'm meant to be learning at the moment so this story doubly touched me.
    Hugs and blessings to you.

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  15. what a wonderful reminder. i'm inspired.

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  16. craxy. What a day. Finding a quarter right there is wild. Glad you had such a great day-- You deserve it ;)

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  17. I love it when wonderful synchronicity peppers your day..Your post reminds me of so many of my own experiences along the way (: Even the freecycle part..I gave a crib to a couple I'd never met and they ran back down to their truck to find a lovely baby snowsuit to give to us ~ And by the way, my son's name is Jude too (:
    xoxo

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