The Nicest Gift

This summer, I took a week off. I traveled to multiple states, saw people I hadn't seen in years, and my parents came to visit. People would leave my house midday, and someone else would show up to spend the night. I was exhausted, but I had a ton of fun.

In the middle of all of this, somehow I ended up hosting a dinner party, where several people I didn't know were in town showed up. That group of friends decided we were celebrating the fact I had sold two books, which was really nice, although I felt a little embarrassed because, well, compliments about my writing are something I always want but then feel immediate imposture syndrome the moment they happen.

During this mad dinner party, one of my friends came up to me and gave me a small bag.

"I know you said you can't draw, but I think you can. I'll send you more tips," she said.

I opened the bag. Inside was a tiny sketch pad. Some pencils and pens, a lip gloss and some small dinosaurs because, if you haven't read Dungeon Crawler Carl, you're missing out #TeamDonutandMongo.

She gave me this while there were more people in my house than usually visited it in a year, and people were yelling and laughing, and my husband was trying to grill stuff while another friend was trying to get us to open Champagne with a sword (which did happen, but I wasn't very good at it), and I didn't have time to stop and pull all the piece out of the bag and marvel at them.

Several weeks prior, this soon-to-be gift giving friend and I had exchanged several texts where she sent me drawings she had done, and I was so impressed with her skills. I had told her I always wanted to learn how to draw, but I was bad at it. And now, here she was, giving me my very own drawing starter kit. The gift was so thoughtful and intentional, I was stunned. And it was totally unexpected. I hadn't even really realized she was in the state, and then not only was she, but she showed up at my house, with this little bag of pure love.

I was so moved, I wanted to cry, but I apparently had to open a Champagne bottle with a sword, and had to get it together so I didn't cut my hand off.

Later, when I was alone, and had time to focus, I opened the little bag and took out each piece, and saw that in the sketch book she had written down little drawing exercises.

Even with all the news and doom and gloom of 2025, I could not but help feel overwhelmed by the human spirit and love. I made my first drawing. It wasn't very good, but I didn't care.

Here's to good friends.