Last November one of my friends, Priscilla, whom I have known nearly all my life, phoned to ask for my mailing address because she wanted to invite me to John's and her 50th wedding anniversary celebration. It was to be held in St. Louis, Missouri, on a Saturday in December—the very weekend of our Christmas concerts at church—so I knew immediately I wouldn't be able to attend. After talking to her, I knew exactly what my gift to them was going to be.
Fifty years ago in December I had been Priscilla's maid of honor in their wedding. It was a beautiful wedding in our home church. The bridesmaids wore long, red velvet dresses with red satin bands around the waist. We carried white rabbit fur muffs. The flowers decorating the church were red poinsettias. I liked my dress so much that after the wedding I kept it wrapped in tissue paper inside my cedar chest. I decided to send the dress to Priscilla and John for my gift, and inside my card I indicated she could let her granddaughters play with it, or she could cut it up into quilt pieces. I wrapped it up and sent my gift to their son to present to them at the party.
Yesterday I got this thank you note:
Donna,
Your surprise was ABSOLUTELY so cool! John couldn't believe it. He said, "Wow! She's kept this all these years."
Yours is the last "Thank You" note and the most easy to write. The dress was in remarkable shape. You have been so kind and thoughtful. Thank you!
Love, Priscilla and John
I would have loved to have seen their faces when they opened the gift!
Before sending it, I brought it to my office and had Elisa, one of the thin, young girls, try it on so I could take a photo of it. I must tell you that I was a lot thinner in those days. Elisa couldn't even zip up the back. Here is her photo:
1 comment:
How neat!! This was a win win. You got rid of it and someone got a very treasured gift. Love this story.
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