the kindness of strangers

Okay, so here's what happened to send me over the moon. First, some background -- and because all good stories have at least a little suspense. . .

I don't know how I stumbled onto the blog Art Propelled, probably by following the "I also follow" lists on someone's blog, but what a lovely place it is. Back in March, Robyn, proprietress of Art Propelled, did a post about taming procrastination in which she said to herself "just do one cow." She carves things -- in case you haven't skedaddled right over there, which you must do -- and had in mind a fairly large project involving the bas relief carving of many cows. But first -- phone calls. And then -- tidying. And then . . .

We all know how this goes. Back when I was writing, I had the world's cleanest oven because any time I need to write something I was overcome with a compulsion to clean the oven. Which I did. Even if I hadn't used it since the last time I'd cleaned it. This is not, on many levels, a healthy habit.

But enough about me, back to Robyn. So she said quite firmly to herself "Just one cow." Sure enough, one cow led to many cows. And these are very beautiful cows. So then, in my life, much tumult and many false starts. As I began coming around again, I was haunted (in a good way) by this idea of "just one cow." Being an acquisitive American, I thought "I wonder, if I asked, if she would make 'just one cow' for me?" And I was afraid to ask. But Mom always said -- "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." And I often told my students "It's amazing sometimes what you can get just by asking." So I asked.

And Robyn, who doesn't usually do small things and doesn't like to do commissions but who is the very soul of kindness, made a cow for me!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Except, hmmmmm, she lives on the other side of the world and posted it from there. Egad, the wretched hateful Post Office. . .
BUT -- yesterday I remembered to take the USPS's standard-issue "We missed you!" delivery slip to work with me.
And I left work on the dot of five -- which is rarely possible, but somehow yesterday it was possible.
And I zipped down the highway and met no traffic at the exit -- which is usually backed up for at least half a mile.
And got a parking spot right in front of the P.O. (This is not so amazing, I have astounding luck finding parking spaces.)
And went inside -- no line. There's always a line. I've been there at 8 in the morning and joined the long line of folks who were queued up outside and waiting to queue up inside and wait.
Went to the window. Where there was a mildly cranky clerk who became all smiles because, I think, of the South Africa return address.
I signed, and got my package, and was home well before 6.

Where I opened the envelope
and found
Just
One
Cow:

Such a simple, beautiful, and -- to my eyes -- perfect, thing. I am completely delighted and so overwhelmed with happiness that I may cry. Again. In a good way.

And so, a toast: to kindness, to wisdom, to daring, to perseverance, to new beginnings, and to the World Wide Web. Cin, cin! and also L'chaim!

Oh, and this is my 100th post. Seems appropriate, somehow.