A happy surprise in the mailbox

I got a lovely little surprise in the mail today.  A letter writer since I was young, I remember the days when getting the mail was something to look forward to.  These days the mail lady probably curses every time she opens our mailbox only to find two or threes days worth of stacked up mail that I haven't picked up.  But it's hard to find the incentive to get the mail when all I find is ads and bills.  It's a sad commentary on the state of things when I look forward to getting the mail on Fridays because I know I'll find my People magazine.  (Yes, yes...it's my guilty pleasure, what can I say?)

But today was different.  Two to three days worth of stacked mail stuffed into the box, yes.  But there was a package!  And it was from my friend Lori.  Lori and I have been friends since we were five years old.  We lived in the same neighborhood so memories of my growing up years are full of sleep-overs, late night kick-the-can games, riding to school in the back of her dad's truck, watching Jem and the Holograms and eating chocolate pies from KFC.  The two of us, along with Chellie, Kami and Heather, all get together fairly frequently even still...though now instead of kick-the-can and sleepovers, we are content with dinner and gabbing.

I wondered what Lori could be sending me.  She hadn't warned me that anything was coming my way.  I opened the card (a custom "Jon Woodbury fine art original" by her talented photographer husband) and read....

Sarah!
Just trying my hand at a
little jewelry making and came
across some fun and inexpensive
bits to practice with.  Thought
of you while making, so hope
you smile even if you don't wear
them.
Lori

I was intrigued.  I carefully unwrapped the red tissue paper and my intrigue turned immediately to delight!  Owl jewelry!!!!  Being my friend she know that I'm a little...okay, a lot...obsessed with owls.  Trust me Lori, not only did this gift indeed make me smile but you can bet I will be wearing it tomorrow!  Thank you, my friend!  I love you!