Flattery will get you....

A few years ago, my first at Alvaton, I signed up for secret santa. It would be a great way to get to know someone, become part of the community, blah blah blah. I was lucky, because I drew Brenda's name from the mailbox. I didn't really know her, but she seemed to be a really nice, friendly person. She seemed like someone that I would like to get to know better. So, I set forth to be the best secret santa ever. I didn't just leave little gifts, like almost every day. I left notes, and letters and stories. When I made cornflake candy for her, I told her a story about my grandmother and how important those christmas goodies she had made for me were. I shared my memories with her. And to be honest, it really felt a little like flirting, and to this day that's what I called it. It sort of encompassed that college, meet someone you really like and stay up all night talking sort of feelng. I love that feeling, and you really never get to have them as often when you're older, and seldom when you're married. Spouses seem to frown upon those sort of moments...go figure. It was a perfect secret santa season, without a doubt. And, knowing that I'd never live up to it, I just didn't do it again. But each year, Brenda comes and asks me for a little story. And I feel so bad, because, I don't always have something to write. Apparently, I'm not a long term flirter, I'm just a short term, slam, bam thank you ma'am kind of gal... who knew. So, then, Brooke Gadberry, the kindergarten teacher for whom Mrs. Cross is an aide, learned about my blog, and then decided to print the entire thing out and put in a binder to give to Mrs. Cross for Christmas. And I was simply floored. It's as good as being published I think. When someone reads and then says that it was great. Or someone finds my blog and then sits and reads all 5 years worth of entries. I am touched, beyond measure. And then still sitting here thinking, but I don't really have anything to say. To which I must then respond, I suppose, I guess I say nothing really well. So I think Brenda and Brooke for giving me a Christmas moment that I'll never forget, just that feeling of being appreciated and valued - not for my oh so luscious body but for my mind..damnit.. and hopefully, there'll be much more to come.