A Lovely Surprise

Good afternoon dear friends. I am sitting here sipping my cup of tea with a thankful heart for all the blessings in my life.

I love giving gifts and I know you do too. I also enjoy receiving them. Yesterday I received a surprise package in the mail from my youngest son.

He has just left Canada this week to embark upon a career which he had been studying towards for years.
His career move has taken him to Illinois, a new state as well as a new country. While he was packing up, he also packed up and mailed out a surprise for his mama.

He had gone to France this past June and while there, he picked up a couple of things for me; a lovely cake of lavender soap from Provence, and a miniature replica of the church Sacre-Coeur in Paris.

I wish you could smell this soap! It is exquisite! The little cicada came with it. Provence is known for them apparently. We also have them here on the Island. In case you have no idea what a cicada is, it is a tree cricket with a loud, shrill sound which we hear in August.

This little cicada is a magnet.

"Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your prayers." ~ Maya Angelou

The Sacre-Coeur is a famous church in Paris which stands on one of the highest points of the city. From its vantage point, one can have a wonderful view of the city. The church is pure white and it took forty years to build.

The photo below was taken by my son when he was there. This is the front of the building. Isn't it beautiful?

Family is a precious gift. In this case, my youngest son, in the middle of all his packing and all the busyness which accompanies such a big transition, thought of his mama back home and sent her a little memento of his trip to France.

God gives good gifts and my cup is overflowing with them. I am very blessed! What are you thankful for today?

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi