Wednesday, December 15, 2010

the smallest gifts


danish santa
The smallest things in life can give the most pleasure.  We race through life, busy with our daily routine, caught up in the race to take care of everyday things, especially at this time of year.  This is the case with me, I am not immune to the routine of things I have to do every day to get through the day, or work toward a future goal.  But occasionally something happens to slow me down for a bit, and make me more introspective about the really important things in life.

I belong to an art community of women online, brought there by a friend who has a love of art and creating like I do.  For months I sat and watched the interaction among the members, not really sure how to join in and participate.  I uploaded some of my artwork, and linked some of my blogs to the site, but I felt more like an observer than a member, even though I had been welcomed warmly by some of the lead members in the community.

my santa imposters
Then about 4 or 5 weeks ago I found my niche.  My jumping in spot.  One group had posted an invitation to swap Santa and Angel ATCs.  ATC stands for artist trading cards, for those of you who are not familiar with the acronym.  I love ATCs and anything small and thought it would be fun to participate, so I added my name to the list.  And even got my ATCs finished early, a real first for me.  The list was made, the cards sent, and we all waited. 

danish angel
 My cards arrived from Denmark a week or more ago.  They were lovely, and so artistic.  It was fun to see what someone had created from so far away and sent to me.  But my cards, sent to a place in the USA, didn't arrive.  And didn't arrive.  I was starting to get worried they wouldn't arrive before Christmas.


the angel i made

Then today it happened.  The person I sent the cards to let me know on the group thread they had arrived.  And let me know how she enjoyed them.

And that was when I stopped.  To savor the small things.  I looked at my  ATCs from Denmark again, and thought of my two new friends, the one in Denmark who sent my cards, and the one here in Illinois who received the cards I made.  How our hands had created these cards or opened the envelopes that held these cards.

But most of all I felt the pleasure, and the gratitude of knowing we had all shared something both tangible and intangible.  And that the smallest of things are sometimes the gifts that are truly priceless.

Savor the small things when they happen.  They are some of life's greatest gifts.

4 comments:

  1. I love this. I wish I weren't so tired so that I could say more. Or something with meaning. But I've been told by many people that by waiting until I get it 'perfect' [yes, that's right], I've probably missed the opportunity to do it at all. So I've started taking it finally to heart. Great post Cathy. Actually, I'd love to learn more about your online community. ~Cheryl Ferrara

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  2. What a wonderful post, really capturing the sharing and giving of atc swapping. Have a great Christmas and more swapping in 2011, love your fellow swapper Sharon :)

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  3. Thanks Sharon! I look forward to more fun and fellowship in the new year at Milliande!
    ~cath xo

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  4. Cheryl with your talent, you would love this community and have so much to offer...it is called the Milliande Art Community for Women and the link is:
    http://milliande.ning.com/

    Check it out and if you join, I am listed as Cathy Jones there...be sure to let me know so I can send a friend request!

    And comments don't have to be anything but straight from the heart girl!
    ~cath xo

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