I just wanted to start this out with how much I appreciated the kindness expressed in these gifts. Not to go into too much detail, but a few days ago my dad had emergency surgery. I am happy to say that everything went fine and he is recovering well.

However... there was a few scary days, and a couple of long nights where I wasn't sure if my latest visit to the hospital was the last time I would ever see my dad again. He and I never really saw eye to eye and I have so many regrets in my heart for how I treated him, the fights we had when I was being a snotty teenager. Yet, no matter how poorly we got along, or how rocky our relationship was, he was always there for me. I will never forget that.

It was with these twisting emotions that I received the first part of my gift, and ultimately now one of my favorite possessions: the Cheer Bear Care Bear mug. When I opened the package and saw this flash of rainbow and this squished pink bear face looking up at me, for a brief moment everything was gone and it brought such a smile to my face. It was too cute.

It is really amazing that my Santa, somehow guided by the hands of fate, got this sweet mug for me, and it arrived right before the surgery. I haven't seen the Care Bears in decades. I just tossed it on my profile under the question about what TV show you would most want to live in. Not even a second thought. I wanted a happy life, so obviously I would want to live in Care-A-Lot right? That was a wonderful surprise. :)

That would have been enough - just a perfect little gift, but my santa really went above and beyond and generously provided for my sweet tooth! I also received a HUGE champagne bottle full of delicious little chocolates to snack on and cook.. book? Bake-book? A recipe book full of amazingly beautiful chocolate desserts. I am super excited to try the Chocolate Pecan Pie recipe!!!

Thank you so much Santa. I really appreciate the kindness and light you brought into my life during a dark period. I hope your experience was as amazing as mine was. :)

PS: I tried to take some cute photos with the chocolates with the play on a drink. I forgot that I didn't own any wine glasses and only had a bag of potatoes to try to take pictures with! Also not pictured: when I forgot that the chocolates opened from the bottom and spilled them all over my kitchen floor...twice. :D