What an amazing experience this was....

At 51 years old I am a bit past the years of hoping for a present on Christmas morning, I am even past the joy of giving toys to my little children and watching them happily tear into the ribbons and paper. I am also at a time in my life where I am minimizing all of my possessions and don't really want to add more stuff to my pile of stuff.

So when I joined Secret Santa I was mostly interested in giving something to somebody else. Even seeing all the cool and creative stuff people give to each other on here, I really couldn't think of anything I would want. The only thing I ever ask for on birthdays etc. is coffee or things like that I can eat or drink.

A rattle of the letterbox outside my door let me know the mailman had arrived, I looked out and saw a package waiting for me. I brought it inside, opened it and saw a HUGE box of wonderful chocolates, (which of course for a guy like me is the ultimate and perfect gift) and a small card.

On the card was written...

"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost"

For those of you unfamiliar, that is a quote from The Lord of the Rings... which just happens to be the nearest and dearest book to my heart of all time. It was the first epic scale story that I read in my life, and a series that I read and re-read every couple years. I have a old set given to me by my big brother when I was a boy that are so worn out that I have them held together with duct tape.

The most amazing thing was how that small note touched my heart and instantly took me back to my childhood... listening to my mother read me from "The Hobbit" or going over and over characters and battles in the Lord of the Rings with my brother. For me these are truly blessed memories.

Thank you Santa from the bottom of my heart. You could not have done a better job if you had the lifespan of Tom Bombadil to plan it :)

EDIT: Part 2 of my gift has arrived! An awesome JRR Tolkien tshirt to wear while my chocolates melt in my mouth.

Happy Christmas (and the rest of the year) to my awesome Santa and to all a good night