Surprises

Is it a fair assessment to say that gestures of true thoughtfulness are rare to encounter? Imagine our surprise last week to receive in the mail not one but two signs of friendship and generosity.

First Mandy brought in an unexpected birthday card from our clients Missy & Kevin. We have been spending non-photo time with them lately and have really enjoyed getting to know them. They are such humorous and sweet people, we feel very fortunate to count them as friends.


The next day there was a mysterious package for me. Of course I'm ordering stuff all the time, from flash batteries & memory cards to, um, shoes, but on this particular day I couldn't imagine what the package would be. After curiously and carefully unwrapping it, I found under a few layers of tissue an Obama Inauguration cap bearing the embroidery "I Was There". It was from Willie, a man I introduced myself to at the movies a few days following the Inauguration after noticing that he and his companion where both wearing "I Was There" hats. We talked excitedly about our experiences and I gave him my card to see the photos I was still working on at the time. I'm very grateful for the gift Willie sent because during the event I didn't think to buy anything for my own keepsake. And it's pink!


I've given a lot of thought to these gestures, and find them both humbling. It is humbling to be remembered, to be surprised, to matter to someone else in an unexpected way. Many thanks, I hope I recognize opportunities to pay it forward.