Success in life is founded upon attention
to the small things rather than to the large
things; to the everyday things nearest to us
rather than to the things that are remote
and uncommon.*
Booker T. Washington
These small gifts were special in themselves, as well as reminders of friendships with the givers. Three were given as gifts, and one, serendipitously, became a gift.
The wooden spoon came from my longest known woman friend. When our family moved into her neighborhood in 1977, she promptly came to greet us. Once, we took an overnight trip to coastal Rhode Island. In a gift shop she chose the spoon with the elm and maple leaf cut-outs to give as a reminder of our adventure.
The photograph of crocus was taken by my brother, who was born in 1956 when I was thirteen. A writer, he has developed an interest in photography and sends me photographs as links to America. I immediately envisioned a future blog in this unexpected and very appreciated gift to me.
The small, red candle was the gift of my editor, and a message for my journey. From reading my blogs and my forthcoming book,* she had chosen the candle by its attached printed card that read, "Courage," aa a reminder of her support.
The Meher Baba pin was given to me by my longest-known Baba friend. In 1997 on a call with an unknown man whose name I forgot, when I mentioned Meher Baba he'd hollered a word and ended the call saying he'd give me a photograph. A year later I recognized his words as, "Jai Baba," my first Meher Baba greeting.
My realization is, "With every gift is a giver, extending its meaning and memory, and doubling the receiving."
* Booker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator, author, orator, and adviser to
multiple presidents of the United States. Between 1890 and 1915, Washington was the
dominant leader in the African American community and of the contemporary black
elite. https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/small-things-quotes
* Prema Jasmine Camp, A Flower for God: A Memoir