Happy surprises are so much fun. They catch us off guard. They are often playful, and they make us feel good. Imagine my delight when I discover a package at my door on Monday. No deliveries were expected, so I could not imagine what was inside the box. Even the sender was not known to me.
Upon opening the box, I laughed as I extracted a pair of vintage clown shoes. Red and white, leather clown shoes. Truly a surprise. I would never have anticipated that I needed clown shoes. Upon closer inspection the sender is known to me, Celeste. I have never met her. We follow each other on Instagram. I discovered her because of the wonderful flower and garden photos she posts in Spring, Summer, and Fall. She has a landscaping business in Vermont. It was truly a treat to receive this gift, try them on and know Celeste had thought of me.
Everyone is deep in planning for the holiday season – Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza, whatever you celebrate. Celeste’s gift embodies the true meaning of the season. Giving not because she would get something in return. Giving not because she knows me well. Giving for no reason other than the unselfish reason of passing on delight.
Each year I too give gifts to people I barely or do not know. It is part of giving. Sharing whatever we possess. It need not be a material gift, it could be time, it could be a letter, it could be a long overdue phone call. The point is giving in unexpected ways. Challenging myself to pay it forward.
Our house is bereft of Christmas decorations this year. Last year, I spent many hours decorating each room in anticipation of the Newburgh Historical Society house tour. It was fun, but having spent so much time last year, we are skipping this year. We will live vicariously and enjoy seeing everyone else’s trees, decorations, and greenery. Even our Thanksgiving celebration was spartan this year. We had been invited to a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner in Chatham, Cape Cod with our generous friends the Metters. Unfortunately, I had the flu, and we could not attend the dinner. I had a cheese sandwich on Thanksgiving and gave thanks that I had the appetite to eat that much. The gift of the flu was another surprise of the season, but not the best kind.
Back to the clown shoes. I knew nothing about clown shoes. They fit perfectly and are surprisingly comfortable and easy to walk in. I am so looking forward to the first occasion, appropriate to show up sporting them, and surprising everyone with my vintage shoes. A precious and beloved gift from Celeste.
Perhaps you too will get clown shoes – the indispensable accessory needed for that special occasion and reminder that life is fun and should not always be serious! I wish you a happy holiday season. May you experience surprise, joy and the overall wonder of life.
Nice shoes. What a great surprise! Our holiday decorating is minimalist now. We used to spend so much time bedecking our fences and trees with lights! But we did get a purple light-up octopus with a Santa hat to mount on the wall of our garage. A little whimsy! His name is Gerald.
Hello Gayle and Bruce. A purple octopus named Gerald is perfect! What a great idea. You are clever. Sometimes, I think the holidays, with all the decorations, food, hype, etc. is just too much. I appreciate it, but I need a break. I remember your fence with lights. So much work. I am sure you do not miss all of the work. Happy holidays!
This post made me so happy. It’s wonderful to know there are people like Celeste…and you…in this world! Have a very merry everything! 💚❤️❌⭕️
Thank you, Amy. I am glad you found the humor in my silly post. Wishing you all the best in this holiday season and the coming New Year.
What a great and unexpected gift. Next will be a squirting flower and a big red nose. A whole new career maybe. Lots of fun to come. Great story to lighten up this time of year. Enjoy those shoes!
Thank you, Elaine. You are funny. I do not see myself becoming a clown in the near future, but I could see wearing the shoes to a party just for fun. I am glad you liked the story. Happy Holidays!
What a great story and wonderful surprise! I do hope you enjoy your surprise from Celeste.
And I hope that you and Andrew have a special Holiday season despite the minimalism. I am being a minimalist this year too.
Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Suellen. Merry Christmas to you too.
Lieber Paul,
same here in Germany – for some reason I haven’t really decorated this year, but do enjoy the early nightfall with lighting candles.
The shoes really are you – antique brought to life with a twist.
Much love from here, Sophia