What’s a Gift Between Friends?

A friend of mine gifted me a pair of earrings the other day. But there’s so much more to the story than that. See, S started out as an acquaintance, someone I’d chat with now and then at a gathering we both attend, but not someone I had ever spent time with outside of that group.

One day, S commented on the earrings I was wearing. She recognized the local artist who created them, and we chatted about the artist with shared enthusiasm. I mentioned that I liked the earrings so much, I wished I’d bought them in more colors. Then we moved on to another topic.

A couple of weeks later, we were at the gathering again, and S came up to me and said, “Here, I got these for you.” She handed me a tiny box, and inside was another set of those earrings I love in a different color. I was shocked and delighted, not just that she had noted what I’d said, but that she’d immediately gone out and bought me, a mere acquaintance, something special.

I thanked her and hugged her and, in that moment, S became a friend.

It’s amazing isn’t it, how an act of kindness can change our lives in so many ways? It’s fascinating how much the shared love of a song, a book, a movie, or a pair of earrings can bring us together. And it’s impressive how long the pleasure from a simple gesture can last. Every time I wear those earrings, I think of S, and I remember the artist we both appreciate. I hope that artist is working today on new jewelry that will spark conversation between two strangers or acquaintances, and maybe those strangers or acquaintances will become friends.

Keep creating, keep talking, keep giving, keep loving. It makes a difference!

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