Thank you, Dear Heart

This was another exercise from Story Exploratory with my writing group. We were to take a stroll through our camera rolls, select and explore an image. Joel and I had just come back from my birthday trip (I missed group because we were traveling.), and I was floating on Cloud 9! We were then to address our heart however we chose to. Here is my thank you letter.

To Lolly's heart:

Thank you for being open to all the blessings that have been bestowed upon you. Even though your birthday had been marred for the last few years, today seemed like a heavy reset. Being able to experience the Carolinas with Joel was absolutely exhilarating. Following through with plans that had been set in motion a while back was rewarding and rendered such amazing experiences. Memories were made that will be treasured forever much like the sand dollar you happened upon soon after you asked God for it!

One of the best experiences this birthday was walking to the Kindred Spirit mailbox on Bird Island on Sunset Beach, NC. You learned about the mailbox through Nicholas Sparks' book, Every Breath. It seemed then like a site you would want to visit someday.You could never have imagined all the blessings you would receive the day you actually walked there. It was amazing hearing you gasp when you spotted the mailbox! The overwhelming feeling of elation when you sat on one of the benches and soaked up the fact that you were there was indescribable. You were able to sit and write and release some of the hurt you had felt for so long. Adding your story to that of others in one of the notebooks affirmed that we are all connected in the ways of the world—in life. As you read others' entries and understood that so many people go through highs and lows in their lives, you were reminded of God's immense love for you. Feeling the ocean breeze caress your face and blow through your hair were true gifts that will linger within you all the days of your life.

I know you must feel such unbound gratitude for how God orchestrated your birthday: from the mailbox experience, to the picnic on the beach, to watching dolphins play in the ocean, to experiencing it with the love of your life, to God's little birthday gift, the sand dollar. It truly was the perfect birthday!

I know that you are aware of how extremely blessed you are. You can dream things and make them come true. You know that your profound faith in God and His blessings are endless. I am glad you were able to enjoy your birthday! Thank you for being so open to everything that you are blessed with.

All of me,

Lolly