Package with a purpose

I had been cleaning out my drawers for days it seemed and I was finding so many things that I thought I had lost forever. Like the tickets from show I saw with my best friend over 20 years ago, somehow got separated from my scrapbook inadvertently and a few cases of old glasses I didn't need or could wear anymore.

I was working room to room and was in my favorite part of the house, my study. This is wear I practically lived most of the time except for sleeping and there have been times, many of them where I have drifted off reading and writing my stories. I am so comfortable sitting at my desk in my oversized chair with a few cushions and a blanket to keep my legs warm as I tend to keep my windows open and the air does get a bit chilly at times.

I was taking one of my many breaks of the day as it was early afternoon and I had been sitting down for hours and decided to get up and stretch and take a little walk around my yard and see how the garden was doing. I stepped outside my door and found a bouquet of flowers left tied up in colorful ribbons. There was no note and they seemed reasonably fresh as if someone had laid them there very recently. I was taken aback by this gesture as I had no idea who would have done this. Do I have a secret admirer? I haven't been seeing anyone for quite a while since my husband passed a few years ago. I wasn't looking for anything or anyone, but isn't that exactly when things happen?

I picked up the lovely arrangement and brought them back into the house and searched for just the right vase to place them. I was digging in one of my lower cupboards when I came across an antique vase I was given by my grandmother a long time ago and it was perfect. The flowers had a old fashioned quality about them, sensing they were from another time.

I adore flowers and my yard is extensive and I spend many enjoyable hours working to make sure the rows of tulips and daffodils and one of my absolute favorites, hyacinths. These were only a few of the many different types and flowers, does not include my vas collection of shrubs. I have a tendency to experiment with color and this year I am working with all shades of yellow from the palest to the very deep and showy.

I walked over towards my bench surrounded by a little pond of koi fish I just put in last year and settled down for a few moments. I wanted to get some sunshine on my face and enjoy the smells of my lustrous garden.

I didn't want to be gone too long from working in door, but the pull was great and I knew I needed it. I was just about to get moving when I heard a loud noise coming from the front. I got up and almost ran to see what just happened and it was the local delivery person coming to drop off my orders which I make so frequently, I see the same delivery person and we have become good friends. I do much research for the local flower society and am always getting little gifts as a thank-you. I accepted my packages and said a hasty good bye and walked briskly into my home.

I placed my packages onto my oversized kitchen table and started looking at what I got today. The usual invites to garden parties and lectures where I really get to show off my prowess for my detailed knowledge of gardening and underneath all of this lied a single package wrapped in a twine rope and was about the size of large card. I didn't see any postmark on it and only my name and address, nothing else. I was puzzled once again, first time with the bouquet of flowers, now this.

I opened up the small package and there was a card and a beautiful one at that. It looked like someone had hand painted it and there was a small note inside which read, "I sure hope you are able to use this, many blessings to you and you deserve a good life, more details soon". Well, I was scratching my head because there was nothing enclosed, could this be a joke or of something more to come?

I put this thought behind me and got back to my work cleaning. I decided that I was going to have a yard sale in the next few weeks as I had accumulated so many things and had to use for them and wanted to make sure the extras went to good homes. I had so many more rooms to go through and was lagging behind and wanted to get myself in gear, but knew I only had enough energy to finish where I started for the day.

I was packing up the things for sale in boxes and adding prices on things that I could, but it was hard to do. I was too attached to items that brought back wonderful memories, but the time to move on was now or never.

Fast forward two weeks, I was setting up my rows of tables with my goods for sale and was not paying close attention when I heard someone come up my walk. It was too early for the sale, but I noticed someone coming near and wasn't sure if I could recall where I had seen them. I welcomed the visitor to my sale since I wanted to get rid of as many things as possible and a paying customer is the best kind. I was giving them a quick tour of what was on each table and asked what they might be looking for or was it just a happenstance? The visitor smiled and walked away without a word and I felt sure I knew them, but when and where and why today?

The time started to go by much quicker and more people were coming by to browse my wares and I was so happy to be surrounded by so many great neighbors, some I had never seen before and I have lived in this house for over 20 years. Sometimes I guess it takes a sale of some sort to get people out to see what I have been all about. I am usually a reserved person, but over time, I have become more relaxed and enjoy meeting new people.

My sales were great and I didn't expect such a large turn out, but the day was coming to a close, at least for my sale and the same visitor from early this morning which I had forgotten about came back and handed me a very small package. Could this be the one I was waiting for?

Well, again no words spoke just a smile and a pat on my hand and they left as quickly as they came. I finished clearing up the sale items, covered up my tables and went inside. I sat down on my favorite chair and opened up my latest gift. It was a lottery ticket! I never play and didn't know why this was given to be, but felt there had to be a good explanation.

Anyway, the card had already been scratched off and there was a grand prize of $1,000,000.00. One million dollars!! Could this be true, should I pinch myself, scream, cry or shout?? I was shaking in disbelief wondering if this was a dream. After awhile, I called the number on the back of the ticket to verify if it was legitimate and was congratulated and yes I was a million dollar winner! Wow! Things like that never happen to me and I am still trying to figure out who gave this to me? I am so stunned and thankful, but unsure who would get the honors.

Well, can't think of anything better than to start making plans on taking a trip after I had settled off a few debts and visit parts of the world I had longed to do all my life. I will never forget this day as long as I live and promised that I would share my wealth and happiness with all I come across.