This is the wonderful, incredibly thoughtful gift I received today for Arbitrary Day 2014. This was my first time participating in either of the two “signature” exchanges, and I am completely delighted. My Santa sent me messages throughout letting me know what was going on, and that was very appreciated! Thank you!

Today, I saw that my package was ready for pickup at the post office. When I went up to the window I was amazed at the meme decorated box! I’m sure my small-town, local postmaster wondered WTF this box was, but I found it super delightful, ha!

Inside were some great gifts:

Three super cute stickers, two of which were Parks & Rec related, and one even added some turquoise chevron, which I had put in my profile that I loved.

There’s a great “Walter White Cat” print, which is hilarious. I have a cat, named Walter White Cat, so this was perfect. Thank you so very much!

It was also filled with tons of candy that I can’t wait to enjoy. (Okay, I may have snuck some Toostie Rolls already, but who knows?!)

And then was the letter. The sweetest, most touching letter to accompany the main gift, these beautiful vintage turquoise dishes. I’d put in my profile about my love of turquoise kitchen stuff (‘tis true!) and my Santa went above and beyond. I was shocked and humbled that anyone would send a stranger on the internet family heirloom dishes. These beautiful dishes belonged to their grandmother, a 98-year-old Holocaust survivor.

How rich in history and amazing is that? That a person would share that kind of memento with a stranger? I’m deeply touched by this gift. The backstory DOES make them extra special. I love them. I will treasure them for many years to come. Thank you.

My Santa had no way of knowing my love of vintage dishes. My own grandmother’s set of turquoise Pyrex bowls (they might have been her mother’s, but everybody that would know for sure is gone now) are currently residing on the top of my kitchen cabinets, displayed with other turquoise kitchen items. I’ve bought odds and ends of vintage turquoise dishes in antique stores before, just because I liked the way they looked.

Receiving these dishes gives me hope in a way that my Santa could have never known. I’m an only child. We are pretty sure that we don’t intend to have children, and my one worry has always been that my family heirlooms would die with me. Being gifted these dishes allows me to believe that someday, in the future, somebody else might love the story behind items that belonged to my grandparents or parents without of ever knowing them, just like I love these dishes that were generously passed on to me from a total stranger.

I can’t say thank you enough, Santa. You truly touched my heart today. Thank you for sharing these with me!