My Giving Tree!

 When I was growing up my mother made me write Thank You notes for any gift I received, and I still try to do this as much as possible. So, this weekend, I sat under my favorite oak tree and wrote Thank You notes for all the birthday presents I received this month. I’ve named this oak tree my Giving Tree, because not only does it give me peace, beauty and inspiration, but this year, it gave me many gifts for my birthday too.

I spend a lot of time sitting under this tree’s canopy to eat lunch, take a break between clients, and it is where I get my best writing done, so several times a day I opened my door and discovered yet another “socially-distanced birthday delivery,” that was left under my tree.

As I wrote my thank you notes I thought about how much our lives have changed recently and some of the things we now value.  I never imagined that I’d write a Thank You note for a package of toilet paper, or that it would seem like pure gold and fill me with such delight! I guess it’s a good reminder that even the simplest of gifts can truly delight the world!

---