Our doorbell rang about four-thirty yesterday afternoon. Of course, the dogs barked endlessly, as I walked to the door. There on the brick steps was a large, white, CRATE AND BARREL, cardboard box. I had been expecting this delivery all week and was impressed with the store’s timing.
But, as I lifted the box and brought it into the house, I noticed the broken white tape, the torn box corners and could hear a rattle, like broken glass in the contents. Oopps, Wow and Oh No! All passed through my mind. This was not good!
Knowing the reputation of this excellent store, I dialed the Customer complaint number. “Lisa” answered, listened to my story, and directed me to the return department. After speaking to that rep and securing a return UPS label, I was done with the transactions. Suddenly the reality of all this hit me!
A gift inside the box was for a wedding to which we were not invited. The reasons for the non-invitation had been made clear by the hosting family, yet we still chose to select and send a gift. Of course, today’s Bridal Registries are so huge…down to the smallest measuring spoon, that there are lots of different prices and gifts to choose for the bride and groom.
My husband and I decided that we liked the gift we chose and I placed the order on the internet. I have already explained the gift’s condition and the course we needed to follow so that a new gift would replace the broken one. Now different thoughts raced through my mind!
What if this broken box meant something else? I consider the situation resulting in our “non-Invite” to the wedding — broken. Evidently, there is no glue to put our relationship back together nor any that will repair the broken bowl.
I look forward to the replacement package due to arrive next week. I will carefully wrap it in beautiful, wedding wrap and send it off at the appropriate time. I can imagine how lovely the bowl will be set upon perhaps an Irish Linen tablecloth. But also, we need to pray that this situation was not an omen for troubles in the future. We will pray for happiness and peace in a new marriage of two special young people. Even though we will not be present, our “present” will and our hearts full of love for their special day!
Thank you to all my followers and greetings to my new ones. Many of you were introduced to my work after reading my first book, FROM WE TO ME…letters to my friend. This was published in the fall of 2013 and has enjoyed some success. Many of those who have read the book have written encouraging comments, saying it was helpful to those who are experiencing grief.
