The Ugly Pink Package

The package was picked out with care. A hot pink color with flowers dotting the background. It used to be pretty. That was until it was filled with care and gently secured with an ugly brown tape. Adding on the “To” and “From” tags and this package was ready to go to the local post office.

Once splattered with the post office stickers, the ugly pink package would soon be on its way to another home.

The ugly pink package was tossed in the backroom, where it would be weighed and sorted. It would be marked with instructions on how to get it from Point A to Point B. Along the way it would be very abused and tossed, as the workers didn’t particularly know the importance of this single package.

But this package was filled with joy (and a few sugary sweets) and nothing would beat this package down. Finally it reached its destination. It was placed on the doorstep as the mailman rang the doorbell. Patiently it waited, until the door was answered and it was brought inside.

It was finally home and waiting to bring joy and happiness into the lives of another family.

This ugly pink package was sitting on my doorstep Monday afternoon. I knew it was on its way, but I had no clue what the insides held. This package was coming from a fellow writer and a fellow friend, right here on Hubpages.

When RealHousewife found out my family was moving, she messaged me and asked if I would mind giving her my new address so she could send a housewarming gift. She did not pop up out of the blue and just ask for my address, Real and I had been chatting back and forth for several months now. In that time, even though we have never actually met face to face, I consider her to be a very good friend. Besides, she promised me she wasn’t a creeper, so I went ahead and sent it!

Earlier in the week, as I was unpacking my kitchen, I realized I had given away all of my sharp knives. I had just written a hub, Excuse Me - Have you seen my Knife - a slightly humorous write-up about “Life Without a Sharp Knife.” I was a little dumbfounded at how much knife blocks currently cost (since I remember purchasing most of mine for about $20 and that came with a canister of kitchen tools!). But I would make due until I could get around to replacing them.

Real contacted me in the middle of the week to let me know her package was on its way. As a side note, she also mentioned it was something the kids would really enjoy. On Friday, I received a box. This was an unmarked box. There was nothing stating who the sender was, nor was there a receipt in the box to give me any clue as to who the gift giver was.

My first thought was Real had sent me this box of knives after reading my hub about my lack of cutting tools. The only thing was, she had mentioned the kids would really enjoy her gift. I was hoping she wasn’t sadistic enough to think the children would have fun with knives, but just to be on the safe side, I asked her anyway. Yet she assured me her gift was coming on Monday and it couldn’t be mistaken - It was an ugly pink package. I am grateful I was still correct in my judgement on her. She wasn’t a creeper - just like she promised!

So Monday, as I picked up the ugly pink package, I knew exactly who it was from without even looking at the labels. It came early afternoon, and it took everything in me not to dive right into the box. Even though it was addressed to me, I knew it was something the girls needed to be home to open as well. After all, Real and her daughters had such a fun time picking out the perfect gift for each child, and I wanted the kids to enjoy the package from the very beginning.

So there it sat, all afternoon, mocking me.

When the kids were all home (and their homework was finished and dinner had been eaten), we finally got to open the box. They all sat around me in anticipation as I cut away the ugly brown packing tape.

The first thing I pulled out was the Ice Cream Cones. Now this was something I knew was in there, since Real had informed me she had sent ice cream through the mail. Yet, I had never seen these candies before, so I was very impressed she had figured out a way to send ice cream through the mail. The kids eyes all got real big-eyed and they knew they were in for a treat from the very beginning.

I gave each of the kids one right away (glad I fed them dinner first) and they dug in.

Bella was the first one to comment, “This isn’t ice cream mommy!” Like I was trying to trick her… “This is cotton candy.” Filled with a bunch of yums in between the licks and bites.

Then I pulled out the rest of the goodies in the box. A candy lip gloss for each of the girls and a candy watch for each of the kids. Abby decided it would be more responsible not to eat all the candy in one sitting. Bella followed suit with a few grumbles. Max started sucking on the package trying to get to the candy pieces.

Even in the short time, you could already seeing the candy high was starting to hit them. Yet, as their eyes got glassy with the start of a sugar coma, they waited patiently (for kids anyway) to see what else was in the box.

I pulled out the first book. It was perfect for Max. Followed by a book for Bella and a book for Abby. Each book fit perfectly with each child. Abby squeeled with delight, as she got a book all for doodling. She couldn’t wait to break into it. Bella spent the night learning how to be a princess and she is currently planning her outfit for the Prince’s Ball on the 3^rd Saturday of the month. Max ran around with his superhero cape saying “Cool” and admiring himself in the mirror.

As for me, her thoughtfullness brought tears to my eyes and I can never really tell her how much it means to me.

Realhousewife and her family are prime examples of being generous just to be generous. The gift she gave was nothing short of exceptional, and while greatly appreciated, was never expected.

Realhousewife is beautiful, both inside and out. Never have I met someone so strong-willed, so kind-hearted, so generous, and overall, just genuinely a nice person. I have never physically met her, but through many exchanges of emails, I feel as if I have known her forever!

I truly scored big the day she sent me an email, and never would I have imagined something blooming out of what originally started off with a hilarious write-up of the Booty Pop! I have truly been blessed to have her enter into my life. Not only has she been a constant supporter of all of my hubs, but she has kept me laughing each and everday her witty sense of humor, whether it is something that she has written a hub about, or just in one of her comments.

She is a talented writer, a great mom, and one of the most self-less people I have ever known. There is really no words that I can say to reallydescribe her or to thank her, as in for once in my lifetime, I am completely speechless. But I can guarantee, there will always be some sort of laughter when she is around. I look forward to the day when my family finally gets to meet her family.

So, because I don't really know how to show her my gratitude, I am writing this hub of gratitude. She truly is a superhero and I am glad that fate has allowed our paths to cross... even if it has only been online!

One day... I hope you too are able to open your eyes to a friendship that may be forming in your very own hub community. Sure, it may be online, but even from far away a friendship can bloom. I hope you are as fortunate as I was.

Note: Meeting people online can be dangerous. Use discretion and a good sense of judgement before giving out any of your personal information. While there are great people out there just like RealHousewife, there are others who can't be trusted. I have had both good interactions with people online and bad interactions with people online.