The art of gift giving

As much as I love being able to give the perfect gift, there seems to be an art to gift giving. Some people have a knack for being able to produce the perfect gift at the perfect moment. We have been lucky enough to be the recipient of a few of these lately and they have left me absolutely speechless. There truly are no words to explain how these thoughtful gifts have touched our hearts, as each time I look at them I am brought to tears by the gratitude that I have for these friends and their support. 

These beautiful art poles were a gift from the 3rd and 5th grade basketball teams. They felt like our garden in back could offer abundant therapy this summer and that these beauties would add a little color to the space. These beautiful poles are hand painted with the tallest having Will's name and the words, "unseen, unheard but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear." These words are so true and we feel so thankful that we can look at them each time we are missing Will and feel the love of our basketball friends lifting us up. 

As word has spread about Will's passing we have been shocked to read cards from so many different parts of the world. Cards from Oregon to Maryland...Wisconsin to Florida...Spain to Mexico. It was uplifting to think that our little boy was in the hearts of so many. It was beautiful to reconnect with friends and know that no distance is too far. However, we were shocked when Will's name reached Rome itself. 

We quickly learned that Fr. Vu has some major connections and that when he and Barb get together they can't be stopped. They presented us with an apostolic blessing imparted by the Pope for our family. This is huge on so many levels and is a gift in which we are forever indebted. Will was in the heart of the Pope himself. What an incredible gift.

Additionally, I have received beautiful jewelry with the kids' names engraved. You know me well if you know my love of personalized gifts, and nothing is nearer or dearer to my heart than my family. I feel so special wearing these beautiful gifts with pride knowing how lucky I am to have such amazing friends and luckier still to be the mom to 4 beautiful souls. Though it seems silly to post about gifts, I want to remember how these acts of kindness, months after Will has passed, have impacted me...as these beautiful gifts are trumped exponentially by the gift of their friendship. We are truly surrounded by such incredible people,