Yup, it is a big deal! And, I have to say that I am amazed at how creatively it can happen. While reading the hullabaloo about how some of the people on the giving tree felt slighted by not receiving a thank you and not knowing that the gift(s) had arrived, I was struck by two things about myself. 1. Duh, I was doing it as a secret Santa, so nobody needed to know who sent it. 2. If I wanted to know the gift arrived, I could get delivery confirmation for less than a dollar! (And, if I sent the items through one of the online stores, I could still find out if it arrived through them!) If the item did not get delivered, THEN I could reveal myself and let the shelter know there was a problem. My life just got easier! What I just CAN'T imagine is people who take a name and then don't follow through. Now, we ALL know that I procrastinate. Having grown up with Star Trek and having experienced ferrets do it, I am convinced that time can be transcended by the immediate dematerialization of objects - and living beings - from one instant to the next. In other words, if it is due in Texas by 4:00, I should be able to stand in Canada at 3:55 and still get it there in time. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, this is also the basis of Bob Church time. Although it appears that I digress, this actually brings me to the point. My Thanksgiving cards to shelters did NOT go out in time for Thanksgiving. Oh, I had such GRAND ideas - I will make biscotti and put in a few tea bags and send them a nice little break in a bag. As Thanksgiving approached, and then passed, it became obvious that was not happening. Oh, I had the cards and the tea bags. I even had treats for the ferrets. What I did not have was time. Then, I thought, okay I'll do (something else - I forget what!). Didn't happen. Time passed. In the end, I wrote an apologetic little poem about my good intentions, enclosed a tea bag or two and a small donation to each shelter. (I decided to take them at their word that EVERY dollar helps.) And, it was now early December and my Christmas card exchange list needed attention. And, someone else was owed biscotti! As I procrastinate with my mailings, I also don't get to the PO more than once a week, sometimes every 2 - 4 weeks. So, it was nice to pick up so many Christmas cards on Dec. 21 before leaving for Christmas. And, it was after January 2 before I returned. Can you imagine my delight and surprise when I picked up my mail to find that I had received Christmas cards, thank you notes, acknowledgements of the donation and even a certificate of appreciation for my little contribution. From these busy shelter moms. You know who you are. And, I want you - and everyone else - to know just how special you are. I also want to say that I did not go back to check to see if everyone did this or *who* didn't. I did not expect it, because I realized from all the recent discussion that my motive is not to GET anything in return - I am overrun by STUFF - but that the pleasure was in the giving and in knowing it would be put to good use. So, as Andrae Crouch said (in a song) many years ago, shelter moms and dads, this is from me and from your ferrets: "How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me? Things so undeserved, yet you give to prove your love for me. The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude." Thank you. (And, if you get a Christmas card from me this month, please consider me early for 2007 instead of late for 2006!) -- renee :) It's amazing how much can be accomplished if nobody cares who gets the credit! Ferret Emergency Response, Rescue & Evacuation Team (F.E.R.R.E.T.) http://www.ferretemergency.org [log in to unmask] International Ferret Congress http://www.ferretcongress.org American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org [Posted in FML 5499]