Lucky me!

Since I can't seem to get around to writing real thank you notes these days, I am going to talk about the wonderful gifts I received today from Granny Franny and Auntie Teri and family.

First of all, it's SO nice to have an extended family through Jim who knows me well enough to know what I love. Two packages and two cat cards! Well, okay, that's a no brainer, but Granny Franny somehow knew my favorite scent in the world is lavender. She sent me a little purple bag filled with the stuff for when I can "spare a few moments" to lay my head on my pillow. What a nice picture! Can't wait to see you guys in a few weeks!

And then the package from Gloucester! Stickers on the outside, always good. Ladybug stickers, even better! Handmade origami invented by Tris, handmade cards from Wes and Tris, some tea meant to give me tranquility (uh, what, am I going to have some chaos in my life soon? Hee). Some cool birthday candles in the shape of flip flops (I've been dreaming of the Caribbean lately)!

But there was also a small, old-fashioned–looking leather book wrapped with a beautiful white and gold ribbon with something written inside that I started reading out loud and Jim had to finish. It was so beautiful and touching, I couldn't get the whole thing out:

January 2007
For you, wee Seamus-
For your mama and
your daddy-
For your big wide
family-
For everyone who will adore you,
admire you, teach
you, guide you,
scold and discipline
you, cheer you and
fear for you, laugh
with you, cry with
you, play with you,
walk with you, run
with you, dance with
you, feed you and be
fed by you, sing to
you, listen to you,
embrace you, hold
your hand, read to
you, read what you
write, show you new
things, watch you
discover the world
around you, hope for
you, pray for you,
worry about you,
delight in you-
Please always remember,
Seamus you are so
loved---and thus,
never alone.

Love Auntie Teri

And...

A Cradle Song by W.B. Yeats

The angels are stooping
Above your bed.
They weary of trooping
With the whimpering dead.

God's laughing in Heaven
To see you so good;
the Sailing Seven
Are gay with his mood.

I kiss you and kiss you
My pigeon, my own
Ah, how I shall miss you
When you have grown.

Sigh. Thanks Fran and Teri et al! You've touched my heart.