I bribed Sami to walk with me by telling her I would let her pick out a treat from the grocery store near the post office. The post office is a little over a mile away from our house –– downhill there and uphill home.
I handed the worker my slip and she and came back laughing and carrying a huge box. The side of the box said it weighed 14 pounds and 12 ounces. I about fell over, especially knowing how much it costs to ship 15 pounds to Japan. So uphill I carried this just shy of 15 pound box home.
My super special, full-of-surprises friend Val sent me a taste of "home" package. I think she somehow knew I was a bit homesick. I was totally blown away and speechless.
Sami & I began to open the box. It was like Christmas in Japan.
Sitting at the top was a card and a bunch of pictures. Some of the pictures was of us from Christmas and of the kids from Christmas, and she even sent a few of Illinois and NC.
Noah sent Sami a "love" note and a photo of himself and Maia sent Sami a box of fruit snacks. She was so excited.
Next was a bag with relaxing candles, bath wash and some pretty matches, that as you can see in the note, Noah picked out for me.
Next was this Ohio State tumbler that included a note saying every time I use this Val hoped it reminded me of "home".
Then came the "goodies". Tons of "USA" type stuff from candy to dip and drink mixes to gravy to biscuits to Spanish rice to Chex Mix to almost every item Hostess makes.
I have to admit I was crying over a box full of Hostess King Dongs and Cupcakes. Not that I missed them, as to be honest I am not sure I have eaten them since college, but because I was just missing "home".
At the very bottom was a Mexican cooking magazine, as Mexican food is just not found here, an Illinois newspaper and a Real Simple magazine.
Here is all our stash spread out. The only thing missing is appetite suppresants to keep me from eating all this food.Little things like this show me that proximity doesn't make a friendship, the heart does.
So thank you Val. Thank you for bringing a smile to not just me, but my whole family.
12 comments:
Okay, now you had ME crying. I lost it when I saw the pic of Sami holding Noah's card. What's amazing about all this is, how small our world really is. It seems so large, and of course it is, but when it comes down to it, in friendship, family, love, it's so small. We all have connection, some more special than others, and the connections that are truly unique and special, stay no matter the circumstance, no matter the distance. Seeing Sami..seeing it all, makes it all seem that more special. I'm not even sure I'm making sense?! (Probably not!) I'm just glad it helped you all...you deserve it...even an almost 14-lb box that my husband must never find out the cost of it to send!! :):) Love you, miss you, and I hope Japan now feels a little more like home :)
p.s. did you walk a mile with that thing?! Um, that HAD to have been a work out!! :)
And, what was it each of you ate first? :)
Oh, Alexis. You are so lucky to have such a friend as Val. I need to remember to keep my friends that aren't so far away just as close. I think I might go put together a few care packages for friends that I have been missing lately. What good bloggy friends you have both been to me!
Oh, Alexis. You are so lucky to have such a friend as Val. I need to remember to keep my friends that aren't so far away just as close. I think I might go put together a few care packages for friends that I have been missing lately. What good bloggy friends you have both been to me!
That is so awesome! What a wonderful friend you have! Happy Easter!
So I just got a chance to show Noah the pictures and when he saw the one of Sami, you should have seen him. I wish I had a camera waiting. He put on the biggest smile and his face turned BRIGHT red :) Awww...I think after 5-1/2 yrs, he has grown to have a crush on her :)
I'm finally all caught up on your blog! Looks like you all had a wonderful trip! I'm so glad you're getting to experience new things while you're there. :-)
The only time I was homesick while living in Australia was a couple of months after we moved there. It lasted for a month or so and then I began to really feel more at home. It's great that you have a friend to send you a package when you really needed it.
Hey tell Val I live in Japan and I want a package like that..I promise I won't tell her it's Fl...promise..haha Wow I am so happy for you guys..just living 650 miles from my family I get excited at even the smallest thing as a card so I can imagine how excited you were to get things from 'home' and just to know someone cares enough to do something like that!!!!
Hi Alexis, your post got me a little emotional. Its amazing how the Good Lord sends us bits or (boxes) of comfort when we need it. Although its not celebrated here, have a happy Easter weekend.
Oh WOW that is so super wonderful!!!
how sweet!
Care packages are the best! And boy - that's a care package and a half!!
That's awesome Alexis! I would totally be missing Mexican food!
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