I found an envelope in my mailbox at the office. I was not expecting it. There was no need for a stamp, because the giver placed it there, as he or she did in every box in the mailroom. It was generous, and will make things even brighter as John and I try to celebrate the gathering of our large brood in a few weeks. A check was nestled in a festive card, along with a note. It was an offering of gratitude to the people who work in the pastor's office and school for what they do all year. I was touched. This is my last Christmas to be part of that stellar group, and I will miss the camaraderie. The message went so far as to ask for no thanks. 

 

"This gift is our thank you to you." 

 

I stood there, reading it, wondering. Such kindness, with no need for recognition. 

 

This week I handed a small present to a woman who did not expect it. I had asked her earlier if there was anything she wanted for Christmas, and she assured me that there was nothing. But I made her a pillow anyway, of a cardinal. She loves to see them out her window, and I figured the fabric one could make up for those days when none arrive at her feeder. 

 

We played Scrabble, which she almost always beats me at. Her ability to position a Q on a triple letter square is uncanny. In one game, she had three words in the thirties and four in the twenties. I felt excited to have found a way to use all four vowels on my rack. I did not give attention to the score. Which is probably why she wins. But I did figure out a way to give her something she wanted. I placed a word that ended on the outermost row, right near a red square. She pounced.

 

John always says that the person who has the most fun wins, and it seems to me that we can all win.