A Tearful Experience

This past weekend, I had the joy of spending my 16th weekend retreat with a group of wonderful sistah-friends.  It's our 2x annual, sistah retreat.

At each retreat I treat them to page kits, a challenge, prizes and/or sistahly talks.  There is always something.  This year was no different...except for one thing.  This year they treated me!  In the past, I have made them search the house for stickers to win a prize.  This time, there were clues for me.

The clues were written on cute little cards.  One clue led to another and eventually to the gift. Although a few clues tripped me up, especially the last, " Awwww SOOT, you're getting HAWT!"  First, I thought soot was an error and should have been shoot.  Then I could not think for the life of me what soot was, I just kept thinking dirt.  Someone had to say, "soot forms in the chimney."  Uuuuhhh...duh...I KNOW THAT!  LOL!  Well, this made it clear to me that I probably should not apply to be on Family Feud or Wheel of Fortune because being put on the spot freezes my brain!  LOL!  lbvs. Since this was the last clue, I found my gift in the fireplace.

Next, I opened the box and the tears just flowed.  I couldn't speak. I could only cry. So thoughtful, so heart felt, so wonderful.  You see this year, SOC turned 10 years old.  It's a wonderful thing.  Each year I try to do something special for the members of SOC to celebrate.  My husband and I typically go out for dinner or have a dessert to celebrate and then time moves on.  It's always a happy time for me because I just feel so thrilled to have started and grown such a wonderful community.  I get excited at celebrating and doing challenges and giving prizes to the members.  To see it grow is amazing and to have so many wonderful crafters who have a place to share and create, where they feel comfortable, loved and a sense of community/family/friendship makes my heart full.

To have someone, step back think about, plan to honor/recognize me and my efforts for SOC in such a significant way is simply overwhelming.  Even typing this makes my emotions start to flow.  I am so very grateful to have thoughtful people in my life and to have such a special bond with these ladies.  I will never truly be able to express just how much this has meant to me.  I can only say, "Thank you. I love you.  You were right on time.  I needed this and you were there!"

Tiare.