I have a friend Andrea who gives me the best gifts ever. Andrea, is a poet, an artist, a musician, a singer, and a muse. Honestly, she is a long time tribe member and I swear she is a goddess.
One day many years ago, Andrea and her mom, Alexis stop by for a visit with a box for me. It seems they had just been to an antique fair and found this entire box of vintage lace with bits and bobs of beaded pieces. All estimated be be from the early 1900s. I cherish this gift to this day. I keep promising myself that I will use the lace - but I cannot seem to separate the lace from one another.
Another time, Andrea and her mom came to visit me after the birth of my daughter Allegra. They came with this small pair of velvet beaded boots that they made themselves. Can you imagine - they were the most precious things ever. I will pass them on to Allegra's children so they can pass them on to my grand children.
But wait there is more - Andrea has come all the way from Jenner just to sit and sing to me - she is the best gift giver ever.
In the past 10 years we have sent one another care packages - loaded with goodies from Italian cherries to crimson red candles, and all sorts of wonderful baubles and trinkets. The biggest joy I have is putting one of my packages together for her because I know it will make her happy - every bit no matter how large or small is individually wrapped with beautiful paper and ribbons. Happiness in a box!
Andrea is definitely one of the most generous people I know, not just for her gifts, but for her never ending open door, open mindedness, open arms, strong shoulders to cry on, and contagious laugh. That she will dance with me at a drop of a hat, and that she will sing to me any time of the day or night. I love her for her ability to love life and others, and I am overjoyed when she is in love with someone and has once or twice come into my office and swooned onto the floor (freaking out my assistant). I cherish Andrea because she looks at life the way you are supposed to - with the wide eyed wonder and the joy that emanates from deep in one's heart.
