I'm honored to be a small part of Swirly's 100 Books Project. She, along with the help of book fairies world wide, is randomly leaving copies of her book, Ordinary Sparkling Moments
, literally all over the world as a gift to a stranger, a random act of kindness if you will.
I had planned to leave the book in an artsy area in Jensen Beach, but when we drove there on our way to the beach on Sunday, the street was packed with people and the timing just wasn't right. So I decided to wait for a better day or time.
When we got to Jensen Beach Park and walked down the little boardwalk through the sea-grapes, I spotted a lonely bench and thought it might be a good spot to leave the book. I decided that if it still seemed like the perfect spot as we were leaving, I'd go for it.
And it was, so I did.
I stuck around for a few minutes, out of sight, to see if anyone noticed it. The first person that walked down towards the beach didn't even glance at the bench. But it didn't take long for someone to see the precious little gift awaiting them. She saw it, and leaned in to read Swirly's handwritten note on the paper wrapping. I wasn't able to see her expression, but I could tell by her body language that she was pleasantly surprised that it was for her. I wasn't close enough to see what she did next, but I was giddy just knowing that this gift made it into a stranger's hands, and that I had something to do with it. There was a pep in my step the rest of the day. And I smile now, thinking about it.
In all honesty, I didn't really even feel like leaving the house at all that day. My kids twisted my arm to go to the beach. I'm so grateful for those little monkeys. Watching them splash around in the surf with my feet in the sand, coupled with the fresh air was just what I needed and I'm choosing to believe that it was just what the stranger who is now holding Swirly's book needed at that moment too.
Thank you
Swirly for this opportunity. You are a gift.
xo,
Carmen
Monday, February 22, 2010 at 11:52AM
Reader Comments (23)
Oh Carmen - I am green with envy. Never mind the lucky person who got the book, just look at that wall to wall sunshine and gorgeous sea. I'm looking out of my office window on grey, rain/snow leaden sky and it is FREEEEEEZING. Would you and your kids like to do a swap??
That's a neat idea!
Love it!
fabulous!!! ahh the beach what a nice thought
i should send you a picture of my snow!!!
congratulations all all those collaborative projects!
yay
So many gifts! I'm enjoying the view in your photos I am sure as much as the stranger receiving the book. Such a wonderful act of kindness. Thanks for reminding us how easy it is to create joy in the world!
So cool. what a treasured idea! I may just do the same here in Austin on our trail that goes around Lady Bird Lake.
What a beautiful spot and I'm sure that lady will never forget that beautiful arbor and the gift she found there. The possibilities for what brought her there and what her story is are endless but you might have just changed her life for the better.
WOW!
What a beautiful gift! The person for whom you left it must have absolutely loved it...and what a gift for you as well (and on such a gorgeous day!) I have to agree with your first commenter...I'm quite jealous of the sunshine. :)
Thanks to you both for sharing her work with the world!
Where is that beach and that sunshine?? How lovely to stumble upon a gift like that. I'm sure she'll always treasure it. I've got a copy, but I won't be leaving it on no bench... no siree - it's a keeper!!
This makes me realize how jaded I am and how my fiction-writing brain has taken me over. I NEVER would have touched the package, suspecting that the moment I lifted the tape, a bomb would have gone off. I really need to get a grip! It's a lovely idea, though, and I hope that the book made the day of the woman who stumbled across it.
Thanks everyone! This was a lot of fun and just as much a gift for ME as for the recipient! ♥
@Diane - that's funny, because prior to seeing this project, I might have been a little leery of a random package on a park bench too. I think generally speaking, most people are good at heart.
oh, how fun! what a neat idea.
What a great idea for a project and how cool that you got to see somebody actually get your gift!!
Ahhh. Sometimes it takes the kids to drag us out of our comfort zone. I love the beach though so that wouldn't be too hard for me! So fun being able to pass on the book!
I am helping spread the word! It's up on my blog now.
Enjoy reading your posts. I am on the other side of the Gulf from you.
I am on the coast near Baffin Bay, south of Corpus in Texas.
Hello to you over there. We are having great weather too.
that was just a lovely thing to do!
That is the coolest story. And in giving the gift- I know it must have been a gift for you too. This past year, I found right beside my parked car in my building's indoor garage- a bag of books. Someone had to put it there for me- without a name or anything. I left it there a few days, just making sure that someone didn't leave it by accident. But - there it stood and after a week, i took them home! What a wonderful gift it was for me! Thanks for sharing this heartfelt story!
carmen
that is awesome.
what a perfect day at the beach.
i wish
i
was the one who walked by that bench.
thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such kind words.
it was so nice to finally meet kelly in person at "an artful journey"
i wish we could.ve spent more time together.
she is lovely
and
talented.
i might have to visit one of YOUR retreats!
loves,
chrissy
When I first opened your site I was taken in by the gorgeous pictures you took of the trees and the boardwalk. I pictured myself walking beneath them and basking in the sunshine... maybe sitting and journaling my experience while smelling the fresh salty air... listening to the seagulls near the water. I wanted to somehow transport myself to that bench to discover your gift myself. I pictured the lady who found your gift and wondered what she was thinking too. What a great idea... it always feels nice to give back doesn't it? Good for you for listening to your kids and going out even though you didn't feel like it.
Come by to see my blog anytime www.kellysartjournaling.blogspot.com
that is the most incredible picture! when i was a consultant, when we were in between projects waiting to be staffed on another, we called it being either "on the bench" or "on the beach". that's exactly what this little book is doing - waiting for its next gig!
i have to say, i loved the photo of the kids in the surf and the fact that they had to drag you out! here, i'm usually the one doing the dragging to the beach....so i'm glad you appreciated it once you were there!
Oh Carmen- what a great photo of the kids! Yeah- I can see it transferred onto a canvas....and hanging on your wall. ;-)
That is such a cool idea! I'm gonna hafta do something like this.... :D