Over the years I have received a myriad of gifts and sweet gestures from blog readers.
Thankfully, non of the posted items have been in the Tom Jones' lady knickers genre of personal token but over twelve years I have gratefully received a whole shopful of hand crafted items, dog treats, scotch eggs and the like as well as suitcase sized collections of cards and letters.
Years ago, the oddest gift which was delievered to the cottage was two bags of layers pellets and a couple of bales of hay! whilst only last year a couple who mysteriously referred of themselves as Adam the bear and Lulu, sent me a Barbara Stanwick DVD, a miniature bottle of bourbon and a massive bar of chocolate " for my Gay Bridget Jones moments" as it was described on the package!
Recently two anonymous dearhearts send me some cash through the post. Surprise gifts that humbled me greatly.
Recently the postman woke me up in order to deliver a blown paper package of about a foot long.
" Another Strange one" the postie commented in his usual unsmiling way before handing it over.
The package was from the Irish Rebublic and the address on it simply said
John Gray,
Trelawnyd.
Wales.
The gift had no accompanying card, senders address or note with it.
When I opened it, this is what I found
The. Virgin Mary
How lovely x
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DeleteThat dear John is truly a gift from the heart.
ReplyDeleteHugs from Plain Jane
You are blessed. Good friends are the best medicine.
ReplyDeleteAt the risk of making myself ever so slightly unpopular with some of your more sensitive readers, I have to say that the is campest (and possible the most kitsch) Virgin Mary since Linda Darnell made her unexpected cameo appearance in The Song of Bernadette...
ReplyDeleteJenny laird as sister Honey
DeleteBut Sister Honey was only a nun, not the Mother of Christ. And as you'd expect, I'm in the Sister Ruth camp - what a gal!!
DeleteOnly a nun ONLY A NUN
DeleteWhat about sister Phillipa ? And her sore hands?
You've started something now.
ReplyDeleteA kind gesture.
ReplyDeletePackages can find you with only that as the address? Packages don't find me with my full address and zip code.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many Virgin Marys are floating around out there that were intended for me but can't find me because of our inferior postal system.
Harry, your comment made me laugh. I do hope one eventually finds it's way to you!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Harry's comment. ROFLMAO!
DeletePerhaps I can post it forward Harry
DeleteOf all the gifts you're likely to get John I think that must top the lot! What a wonderful community blogland is!
ReplyDeleteSomeone has sent some serious help!
ReplyDeleteMoney is good
DeleteIt may appear kitsch or silly to some, but it's someone's attempt to represent something so beautiful as to be totally impossible to portray; it's merely a symbol of something revered, like a snapshot of a loved one you'd carry in your wallet. May the Blessed Mother watch over you John, and bring you Peace, whether you believe it's possible or not. That's a gift that came from someone who has prayers for your well being in their heart!
ReplyDeleteThe kindness of the thought and gesture is not lost on me. Im not a believer in god but i am a firm brliever of kindness
DeleteRuth, I love your comment. That gift was straight from someones loving heart.
DeleteHow do we know she was a virgin?
ReplyDeleteNot funny xxx
DeleteIt wasn't meant to be.
DeleteI know x
DeleteA strangely white and pink Mary for a denizen of Palestine too (but what has realism got to do with any such stuff?). Also not intended to be funny (nor offensive, just observation).
DeleteShe'll keep you on your best behaviour!
ReplyDeleteAs if I need an eye keeping on me
DeleteWell, there could be so many layers of meaning with that gift, LOL!
ReplyDeleteLet's stick to the positive
DeleteHow serene and rich in benevolence.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Yes
DeleteIn the movie 'Black Sunday' (Bruce Dern, etc) that was how the plastique explosive was packaged........
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough I thought of that.......she's hollow, I looked lol
DeleteOh, Mary. Love the kitschy appeal of it. Not like they’re ‘sending a message’ huh? And hand crafted gifts are really interesting. They always intrigue me.
ReplyDeleteXoXo
I need all the help and the kitsch I can get
DeleteMay she bring good things to your home.
ReplyDeleteWhat will we do with this?
ReplyDeleteLet's send it to John!
I think it's sweet and will sit in a window corner forever.
I am totally disappointed you did not get Mary on a Half Shell.
ReplyDeleteShe is still a sweet gesture though. Her placement works perfectly. :)
Hmmm, re-gifting, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteCatalyst, your, occasionally catty, remarks did bring you, eventually, to my attention. A mixed blessing.
DeleteWhilst I myself am not averse to keeping the nodding congregation from going to sleep by throwing the odd clanger I rarely approve of pissing on someone's parade.
U?
DeleteShe has a very wary expression on her face ... almost as though she's slightly concerned she may be eaten by a Bulldog!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful thoughts for you.
ReplyDeleteJust another proof John that we all love you.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful gift, I like it.
ReplyDeleteDespite the fact that I am as agnostic as they come, I do love the Virgin Mary. She is one of the most beloved goddess mothers in my opinion. In the representational way. And I think that that is one of the sweetest gifts anyone could have sent you.
ReplyDeleteObviously from a Roman Catholic.....and one who doesn't support it's view on homosexuality. He/she must be a good human being and sending you emotional'support'.
ReplyDeleteYou are loved, John.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has M on the back of my denim jacket with VM KICKS BUTT written in rhinestones under it, I"m FOR this :)
ReplyDeleteI am not at all religious but I would have loved that, such a sweet thought.
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
Oh goodness that made me laugh! Another person who cares for you John. And never underestimate the power of a statue. At school a statue of the BVM was put out on the front lawn whenever we needed a fine day for a prize giving or sports day, and, I swear to you, I never saw that statue wet! Never failed! Never! So, go with it.
ReplyDeleteA Child of Prague is the one for that job almost every wedding in Creland a child of Prague is put in the garden of the brides house
DeleteA thoughtful gift. Would you kindly remind me of your e-mail address.
ReplyDeletejgsheffield@hotmail.com
DeleteI like the idea that people are sending you gifts from all over the world for what they perceive will help in one way or another.
ReplyDeleteFucking hell. I would be worried if I were you.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI bet that gift was sent in the "right place"... meaning with love .
ReplyDeleteI think who ever sent it must have wanted you to feel supported in your endeavors. You can always talk to the Virgin, John! You are being blessed.
ReplyDeleteI like thinking that Mary was sent out of kindness.
ReplyDeleteI am more focused though on the stone wall
I can see through the window . . .
Now that is a great sight . . ,
I can see it as a strange way to send this gift without name and without prayers offered and without sincere love and devotion to God passed on to you in words. I see it therefore as an ornament for your shelf to join other decorations.
ReplyDeleteI've stood her on the back too the loo
Deletedeeply impressed, but then i have a 5ft older version in my back garden .....think she might scare a burgler to death
ReplyDeleteHow lovely of them 😊
ReplyDeleteThis made me laugh more than it should!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful gifts from the heart John so many thoughtful people who read your blog.
ReplyDeleteHaha ... I got this one too. It fits in kinda neatly with this post ;-)
ReplyDelete