“Adventures are all very well in their place, but there's a lot to be said for regular meals and freedom from pain.” ― Neil Gaiman, Stardust

(Title from this post is also a quote from Stardust--which is a gift I received from my more than generous Secret Santa).

The first gift arrived a week before Christmas with note that said "I hope these gifts make you smile." (Before I tell you what it was or anything else, I want to say: Secret Santa, you don't know what you have done for me. I just went through the worst Christmas of my life, and your gifts have been some of the few moments of happiness in the last two weeks.) I tore the package open to find a red leather journal. Now, I collect journals, I was ecstatic. The journal is beautiful--with a a golden key and charm with a phrase is french (I assume this is because I said The Little Prince is my favorite book).

Now before I continue let me explain where I have been. I haven't had the best year and all the consequences of relationships lost, family disconnections, and financial struggles came crashing down on me on the week before Christmas. I usually can control my emotions, but that week, everything hurt because I felt like I had failed as human being. I have never felt more alone or unwanted. I am not going to explain how shattered I felt, but lets just say: it sucked.

Anyways, second gift arrived and it came with its own note "I know you love John Steinbeck, but I love Neil Gaiman" and inside was the book 'Stardust' by Neil Gaiman. And for the first time that week, I smiled. A huge smile, because this book has been on my to read list for almost two years! I read it in one sitting, and I absolutely love it! It didn't fix what I was going through, but it was definitely a welcomed distraction.

Last, on Christmas Eve (the worst day this year, "thanks loving and supportive family," says the girl sarcastically) I received the last gift which is now my FAVORITE thing in the world. It's a cup and it says "PLEASE do not annoy the writer. She may put you in a book and kill you." I actually laughed out loud. You don't know me personally SS, but I am always telling people they are going to end up in a story.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you so much SS. If you were standing in front of me, I would hug you.