Surprises are the BEST!

As you know I have been busy putting up lots of Christmas Decor at the store I work at and when I get home from doing that I am totally immersed in my “Decorating Marathon” projects. I have been soooo focused on these tasks that I haven’t given thought to much else.  It is times like this that life can totally surprise you and make you stop and think what really matters and to enjoy the little things.  This happened to me earlier this week when I was on the receiving end of two surprises, both based on kindness.

“The smallest deed is better than the grandest intention”

One came in the mail from a person I have never met and the other from my hubby – both were totally unexpected which made them all the more wonderful to receive.

1st Surprise

Remember one of the projects in my “dec marathon” is re-doing my foyer steps. I showed you my progress in a post last week  – I had only taken carpet off 4 of the steps.  Well after my husband read that post in his e-mail the next morning he decided to surprise me and  took the rest of the carpet off while I was at work. He didn’t tell me when I got home and waited to see my reaction when I saw the un-carpeted staircase.  xo xo xo It would have taken me hours and hours to get it all off.  Now, because of his kindness, I can start the sanding, staining, and painting.  Gotta love him.  He is so busy trying to find a job and decided to take the time to help me out.  I truly appreciate his thoughtfulness. I only wish I could surprise him and give him what he really wants – a great job offer.

The hardest part of removing the carpet was around the outer edge of each step.  I swear there were 20 staples on each steps edge.

The 2nd Surprise

Came in the mail and made me smile big time. I still am smiling as it was such a small, but thoughtful gesture.  My hubby went to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. I did not know him then, I met him after he had graduated and always thought it would have been fun to be a midshipman’s girlfriend. There were so many dances and events that took place there that I never got to experience. I have seen lots of pictures of these events and all of the girls my hubby took to them in a photo album he has.  The closest I ever got to spending time at the Naval Academy was getting married there 5 years after he graduated.

Anyway out of the blue, I recieved a small package in the mail that contained this- his class pin

and a note from one of my hubby’s old girlfriends who he gave this class pin to while attending the Naval Academy.  (He must have really liked her.)  She recently was cleaning out her home and found the pin.  I have never met her and hubby hasn’t seen her since his USNA days.  She decided to look him up on LinkedIn, found him, and connected.  She felt it did not belong to her anymore and wanted me to have it.   Isn’t that sweet, thoughtful, and so very special of her to think to give the pin to the girl my hubby ended up marrying. 

Thanks so much Megen – I am truly touched not only by your thoughtfulness, but the fact that the pin sort of connects me to his days as a midshipmen.  :)  I can now wear it when we go back to Annapolis for Homecoming and other alumni events.  

I wrote Megen a note to thank her.  

Receiving these two surprises has touched me and has made me want to pass on the kindness I have received in a “pay it forward” kind of way.  I am going to be looking and keeping my mind open on how I can make some one’s day by doing something special for them when they least expect it.

Has anyone ever surprised you or did something special out of the blue for you that you would like to share?  I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.  

I am now putting the paint brush back in my hand so I can soon show you my “dec marathon” projects. I will keep you posted.