Celebrate

Hi Friends.  Today is my birthday.  As I’ve reflected on this special day I can’t be more grateful that I was born in the family I was born in.  I’m so very grateful for all of the people I have in my life.  Some have been fleeting and some, decades.  (yes I’m that old).  🙂  

Birthdays can be a day of gift giving, well wishing, thoughtful gestures towards the one you love moving into the next year of their life.  Today is no different.  I thought I’d share with you a small gift exchange that really made my day this month, unbeknownst to the giver of the gift.  It was what I needed when I needed it.

For the past ten years, The Truffle Cottage has gone to Seattle, Washington to a big convention called ECCC.  Early on, we told our fans if they brought us Diet Pepsi, we would bring them a special chocolate treat.  Two of our favorite friends started bringing us my favorite drink every year.  It’s been a decade and through this exchange, we’ve become good friends.  This show is like coming home to our convention family. 

We have other convention friends who never knew about this exchange, since it was many years ago we started it.  We still love these friends, and look forward to seeing everyone throughout this four day weekend.  

Two weeks ago, we were at it again, selling our chocolate wares, catching up with our ECCC family, excited to see them all.  

There is one particular couple who we really love and are excited to see every year.  They come to our booth first thing on Thursday, filling up their suitcases with chocolate.  After the good to see you again hugs and small chit chat, my friend reached in his backpack and pulled out a six pack of Pepsi with an explanation.  He said he had extra time at work and came across The Truffle Cottage social media account.  As he scrolled, he saw that someone brought us drinks and he wanted to join in the fun.  What an unexpected surprise!

This little effort meant so much to me!  To think that someone would take the time to bring me something with no encouragement touched me.  These little efforts we make towards each other are blessings that sometimes ripple further than we could possibly know.  

Today, celebrate with me. Let’s be a little more thoughtful like my dear friend in Seattle.  Hopefully the small gesture that came from a simple effort to bring me joy will turn into a wonderful ripple effect as I serve my friends around me.  After all, a birthday is just another day without friends and family to enjoy it with.