RAK in my mailbox today

[Aine Holder]

I recently signed up with the Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) group.  I put down my address and a list of wishes of things I might like to see show up in my mailbox.  After about a week,  my upbringing kicked in.  I could hear my mother telling me I could only ask for one thing,  or let the other kids go first and so on.  My mother was an awesomely generous person.  She would help anyone out.  She would give you her last dollar.  She taught that to me and for years I have practiced generosity wherever I could.  She unfortunately taught me something else.  It is better to give than receive.  For years,  I also practiced that.  So much so that I actually took my wishlist off the RAK's page the other day.  I felt guilty to ask for things.  I felt greedy and I felt bad.  The one thing my mother never learned and thereby never taught me was to receive.  To allow the gift of giving to fall in someone else's court.  I tried many times to give to my mother but she would not take.  In fact she denied me the pleasure of giving.  She's now gone and I realize that I have done the same to others.  To deny them the chance to be generous.  Sometimes the greatest gift is to allow someone else the chance to shine.  

Today,  I got a letter in the mail from Linda French.  She sent me an RAK letter before I could remove my name.  I never realized how much joy I would receive by her gifts.   They are but trinkets but in my heart,  they are gems.  Carefully chosen to fit my needs and wants.  I know the joy of putting together such a parcel of kindness.  I know the pleasure in addressing the envelope and imagining the recipient's pleasure.  I know the thrill of taking it to the postbox and lovingly sending it on it's journey.   Today,  Linda,   I know the thrill of opening my letterbox and finding an unexpected treasure.   I thank you for that.  I also thank you for the reminder that while there is joy in giving,  there is also joy in allowing someone else that pleasure.  Thank you,  thank you,  thank you.  You made my heart go pitter pat! 

[Toni Hanner -- tonipoet]

Thanks for expressing beautifully what so many of us (maybe women especially????) feel -- I think one of the chief joys of mail art is the mutuality of it, and the lack of expectation.

[Grace Sanford]

When browsing I happened to come across this and read it with the love of gratitude shining through so well. Thanks for giving us all the love of your gratitude which swells from heart to heart.