Happy Friday, snippeteers ...
After church Sunday, a fellow parishioner "R" handed me a little gift ... a pink ice cube tray in the shape of flamingos. Cuuuute! It was a "just because" gift - don't you love those?
At a coffee pow-wow last Thursday, my friend "B" gifted me with a bottle of my favorite scent, Amazing Grace, and a pretty journal of lists. Niiiiice! Several weeks ago, another friend "K" gifted me a "Grammar Police" candle - it said funny things on the label about the misuse of words such as their/there/they're. (You know the difference, right? Don't make me come over there and give you a Grammar Citation.)
This summer I have also received Just Because gifts of a dragonfly magnet for the 'fridge, a prayer book, two boxes of flavored pancake mix, and Hubs one day handed me eight floating wine glasses for the pool (or to stick in the sand, wherever I might be drinking vino with seven other friends).
I'm not sure what I did to deserve any of these gifts, but can I tell you how special it made me feel because those friends/husband handed me a Just Because gift? Huge AWWWWW. It means they saw and purchased a product while thinking about me. Just because. In all cases ... tHaNk YoU, good people!
Snippeteers, it doesn't have to be someone's birthday, anniversary, retirement, or other special occasion to reach out to people we love. We can do so "just because." I like calling my three siblings just to say hello, to ask how and what they're doing.
Nor does our just-because-thought have to be a physical gift ... it might be a 'thinking of you' text, a goodnight bitmoji, a hello on facebook or email, or a quick 'have a good Tuesday' call. We might craft some fun snail mail using greeting cards, stamping, stickers, colorful markers. Tuck inside an inspirational quote or a newspaper article you cut out, a piece of tasty gum, or a $2 scratch-off. We might mail a postcard while on vacation. (My sister Paula is very good at sending postcards when she's away - I love this habit. She just sent me one from Cape Cod.)
Do we phone people "just because" - or only when we need something? Do we pick up our spouse's favorite lemon cookies at the supermarket even though they aren't on the grocery list? Could we stop by a neighbor's house with a container of chili or soup from the large batch we made that day? Could we buy a bouquet of fresh flowers to adorn the kitchen - yes for us - just because? (It is okay to Just Because yourself, too.)
Just Because gifts, thoughts, and other gestures simply toss out a quick and easy reminder to others. They say, "Hey, I love you! Hope you know." ... "I saw this item and thought of you." ... "I just wanted to text to say hello - you are on my mind and heart."
Just because it's nice.
