Secret thanks - gift of happiness

I had a lovely surprise this week. I run a little (very) rural convenience store. It is tiny (about 500 sq feet) but we pack a lot of goods in -if I say the line is drawn between paintbrushes and paint and we stock everything from aspirin to Zucchini (courgettes) it gives you some idea. Anyhow someone left me a little gift on one of the shelves in the shop this week. I've asked around and no one seems to know who left it, but I'm so touched that someone went to the trouble of making me a gift to show their appreciation. It's something I will treasure as a memento, but more as a tribute of recognition of the work that we do to keep the shop running. I'm a little sorry not to be able to say 'thankyou' for it in person but will try and say 'thankyou' in public at least so hopefully the message will get back.
It reminds me of the film Amelie, where the main character goes around Paris doing secret acts of kindness for people. Has anyone else ever received or given such a gift?

That's adorable and Google Maps tells me it's even pretty accurate!

What a cute store!! I LOVE it! And 'rock' doesn't do that little piece of art justice. Such a NEAT gift!!

My suggestion would be to frame the rock or at least a picture of it with "Thank You" in the background. Hang the picture in a spot where everyone will see the picture.

That is a lovely treasure.

Christopher Weeks wrote:That's adorable and Google Maps tells me it's even pretty accurate!

Ha - I can tell when that google picture was taken (late 2020 or possibly early 2021 during lock down...) !
The painting is based partly on our own postcard picture of the shop from 2008 when we first bought it - I can tell because the hanging baskets were moved to either side of the door about 10 years ago, however they have put in the traffic lights which we used to try and support 'social distancing' in such a tiny space, and the change in signage above the window. The traffic lights (actually repurposed pedestrian crossing lights - red man/green man) are still here, but people find them charming - so they may stay! They act as an indicator we are open and I can always turn them to red if I want a quiet moment....

Carla Burke wrote:What a cute store!! I LOVE it! And 'rock' doesn't do that little piece of art justice. Such a NEAT gift!!

It is pretty sweet! we try and maintain the character of it when we do minor changes, rather than be too 'bling and modern. It was built as a Post Office just after the war - One side was the Post Office the other the Doctors surgery, hence the two chimneys! The public telephone was just next to it so the Post Master knew everything about everyone! The building has since been extended backwards and sideways, so it is a bit bigger than you think!

I would describe the stone as a painted pebble. It may well be from the beaches near here. It has been done with such care and real love and thought put into it - a gift does not have to involve much money to be valuable.
I feel blessed.

Anne Miller wrote:My suggestion would be to frame the rock or at least a picture of it with "Thank You" in the background. Hang the picture in a spot where everyone will see the picture.

Great idea Anne! I think I'll put a picture of it in the window - we use it for local notices, so hopefully the gifter will see it and know that their present was appreciated. I'm not even sure it was done by a local however, we have many visitors that return year on year.....

That is a lovely treasure.

I love that it was done with such thought and care - a gift does not have to have lots of money spent on it to be valuable!

Thanks for posting this Nancy.  What a lovely gift.  It reminds me the importance of random acts of kindness , and how meaningful they can be.  Thank you.