Life’s Gifts
It’s mid-January. In the northeast. And last weekend, both days, were between 65 and 70 degrees. That is a GIFT. Most weekends I try to do work (blog, apartment, etc) one day, and do something fun the other. To play BOTH days always sets me behind and I play catch-up all the following week.
But THIS WEEKEND WAS A GIFT. And I was not about to pass up such a wonderful gift!
It made me think of the handful of other times in my life that I felt were “gifts.” Those ordinary moments that seem extraordinary. Simple things that feel important.
My daughter was born via c-section, back in the day when they still kept you in the hospital for several days. While I was in the hospital trying to figure out how to baby, my sister arrived from Massachusetts and did a deep clean of my house and put flowers all around. The morning I arrived home, it was one of the first warmish days of spring and she had opened the windows to let in some air. When I walked in (after going through labor, surgery, recovery, attempting to breastfeed, and with a new HUMAN who was totally dependent on me) and the white curtains were billowing in the breeze from the open windows, fresh flowers were delicately scenting the air, the floors were clean, beds made and dishes washed….wow. THAT was a gift. I still think of it as one of my Best Days Ever. Thank you, Sister, for that wonderful gift.
I remember long-ago days when my husband-to-be and I had just starting dating. I had a morning job mucking stalls and exercising polo ponies. I finished up every day around 10am. There were days he’d pick me up and if it was nice we’d go to the deli and get an absolute feast – big sandwiches, giant iced teas, chips, fruit, macaroni and potato salads, desserts – and spread a blanket on the grass at a nearby park. Eat our picnic, chat, then lie on the blanket and usually doze in the warm sunshine. Those days were gifts.
The morning I moved from Brooklyn Apt #2 to Brooklyn Apt #3 Katie showed up to help me. They were the same movers I’d used in the past two (all too recent) moves so they were familiar with my stuff and where it went and they worked super fast and before I knew it they were gone and Katie and I sat on the sofa under the two giant windows facing the street, again, white curtains billowing in the cool breeze (during what had been the hottest month I can remember), and the new place was just quiet and serene and gracious after the bowling alley with no windows I’d been living in for the past eight months.
The evening of my cancer surgery, I had no one there with me. Surgery doesn’t scare me, but that’s a time you just want someone there with you, in your corner. Just minutes before I was scheduled to be wheeled down to the operating room, one of my friends showed up just to wish me luck for the operation and to say she would pray for me. That quick visit meant so much to me. It was a gift. Thank you, my friend.
The day Caleb and I “met” and he almost immediately adopted me as The Mother.
The time I heard an old boyfriend’s voice on the phone after 25+ years and his unmistakable joy in hearing mine.
These are just a handful of moments throughout a lifetime. They are not grand and significant events. I didn’t win the lottery or a trip to Hawaii. These weren’t moments like being called onto stage to accept a college diploma or celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary. These are just small gifts that happen without planning or preparation.
You never know when the white curtains are going to billow in the breeze…or the January sun unexpectedly warm you while you brunch outdoors with a friend.
You never know when you’re going to receive a gift. But you’ll remember and appreciate it always.
What I Wore:
- Charlotte Russe skinny jeans, size 24 short. No longer available.
- J Jill White Linen Easy Shirt, size 4x. Available in plus, straight, tall and petite sizes.
- Aerosole Betunia leopard flats
- Loft Drawstring Utility Jacket, size 3x. Available in straight, petite and plus, but right now only in pink.
- Fossil cross-body <- very similar
- A New Day/Target sunglasses
Thank you to She Who Shall Remain Nameless for the wonderful photos!
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you buy something as a result of clicking that link, at no extra cost to you. I appreciate you shopping through my links.
Barb Standridge
Love everything about this post!! Thank you for all of it!
bettyewp
Thank you, Barbara.
xoxo
Iris
Ahhh, sweet post – and a great reminder to cherish those “gifts” and be thankful for them. Pics are good too.
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
bettyewp
Yeah, I need reminding. A LOT. I’m very quick to notice the downsides to things…I’m happy to have some things in my life history that I think of ONLY with good feelings.
Kimberly
What a great post. It actually made me stop and think about all of the wonderful ‘gifts’ I have received throughout my life. Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead!
I love your shoes. However, I usually wear a wide. I notice that these shoes are only available in M width. How do they run? Thanks!
bettyewp
Thanks, Kimberly…and Welcome!
Well, I have pretty wide feet and always buy that option when available…but these feel good. Me wearing them out for a day of walking is testament to their comfort! I have problematic feet, and while they’re (obviously) not super-cushy sneakers, I had No Complaints after walking around all afternoon. And I ALWAYS have complaints π
Melissa
I absolutely loved this post! Thank you for sharing these precious moments of gratitude. It warms my heart and makes me feel grateful in my own way on the other side of the internet. ππ»
Always stay you!
bettyewp
So glad you enjoyed it, Melissa.
Karen
This is a powerful reminder that life is good. I love your free spirited photos. “Carpe diem” is not just a saying. (Just sayin’.) We can seize today and make it good, and we can seize the memories of gift days from the past for the lovely high-frequency inspiration.
You’ve inspired me! Thank you. xo karen
bettyewp
Thank you, Karen.
xoxo
Shirley Horst
The day I discovered your wonderful blog was one of my gift days. I am so blessed to have you share your life with me. You have given me a new perspective on life. This post made me thankful for the little gifts that I have received over the years, just like yours. Thanks for all you do to make the world a brighter place!
bettyewp
Oh, gosh! What lovely things to hear, Shirley! Thank YOU for always coming to visit!
Lynne
An inspirational post . Many thanks
bettyewp
Aww, thanks Lynne!
Judi
Bettye, this was a wonderful and uplifting post that caused us to pause and appreciate the little moments that are indelible.
And it looks like you had a blast with the shoot. I can’t say I’ve ever seen you look like you’re having a real blast.
bettyewp
Thanks, Judi! That’s nice to hear. It was a fun day PLUS it’s SO NICE to shoot with an actual HUMAN in a fun location vs the boring tripod on the boring patio. The patio serves a purpose, for sure, but it gets really boring for ME and I’m sure that shows in my pictures. There’s Just So Many things i can do on the patio, plus I always feel like the landlords are watching me from the upstairs window…or the sideyard neighbors are out on their deck (in ALL kinds of weather WHY CAN’T THEY STAY INSIDE? IT’S WINTER!!!) watching me and it makes me awkward.
I found it interesting, actually listing the moments out, how many had to do with mild weather and breezes (open windows and billowing curtains).
marceline miller
THIS POST and your blog are gifts!! thank you!!
Michelle
This is my βfavorite-istβ post youβve ever written. π
bettyewp
So…it was A Post That Didn’t Suck??
π
jodie filogomo
Wow…this has me really thinking. Because those are gifts which is why we should appreciate the present day so much.
I was just telling my husband that when I was sick last month, it meant so much to me when I was in the bathroom sobbing (at 2 am) because I couldn’t stop coughing and he came up and just held me. It seems so insignificant but I realized how I wasn’t alone then. It was a gift.
OXOX
Jodie
ps…you. You’re a gift too.
bettyewp
You got a good’un. He’s a gift π
Daenel T.
Such a sweet post and a reminder to slow down and enjoy the moment. Thank you for that, my friend.
bettyewp
Thanks, Daenel! xoxo
Andrea
Thanks! I needed this today!
bettyewp
Aww π Glad it was there for you.
Donna
Wow!! This was totally inspiring and I take it as a gift to have been able to read it and share in the good things that youβve talked about as gifts in your life! Thank you for sharing and making me think of some such in my life!! Have a wonderful gift of a weekend!!
Donna π§π»ββοΈβ€οΈπ
https://donnadoesdresses.com
bettyewp
Thanks, Donna!
Ruth Josey
I try to structure my weekends like you do yours but somehow it just doesn’t always work :/ And I agree, if you spend the whole weekend doing the stuff you really want to do, the rest of the stuff you have to do doesn’t do itself π I love these photos – the shapes and textures are wonderful and you look just gorgeous in all of them! Your outfit is simple but so classic and classy. And the stories – how wonderful to have a sister who made such a wonderful homecoming for you. Too bad our kids didn’t come with manuals. I know I did – something by Dr. Spock π (for all of you under-50’s, no – he wasn’t on the earliest Star Treks). I think cherishing these gifts keeps us from feeling sorry for ourselves or alone and this post has been a wonderful reminder to look at the small things that make us happy as gifts.
Ruth
https://voguefauxreal.com/2020/01/16
bettyewp
That’s why the 3-day weekend is perfect. One day to do work, one day to have fun, and one day to rest. Seriously, I have every confidence I could do my job in a 4-day work-week.
Fun Fact: my niece went to the same high school as Dr. Spock (not at the same time!). Well, maybe not as much fun to everyone else. Maybe her mother if she’s here. Sister?