Secret Angels

We hadn't planned it that way, but both Drew and I ended up being part of a Secret Angel gift exchange. It's kind of fun, really. Even if you don't know the person you are blessing very well, its such a joy to anonymously brighten someone's day.



Drew decided to go the candy route. He selected gummy worms and sours and odd shaped, weird colored things to send the way of his recipient. I went the candle route. I found all sorts of interestingly shaped tea light sized holiday candles from pinecones to candycanes to Christmas trees and stars.



For each candle I am sending, I find an interesting picture and an uplifting thought or verse to print out and send along. I wrapped (more wrapping!) each candle in blue paper with nativity scenes printed on it in pretty yellows and browns. I really like pulling it all together. Now all I have to do is figure out how to deliver these gifts without tipping my hand.



The only time I nearly gave myself away being a secret angel was a time when I was first married. We knew a family with two young kids who were struggling financially. Even though we weren't flush, we didn't have any kids yet, so we decided to gather together a box of groceries and secretly deliver it to them on Christmas Eve.



We wrapped a big box in Christmas paper and filled it with canned goods and dry goods. Right in the center we placed a huge ham - something way bigger than we would ever have gotten for ourselves. We drove over to their house, and parked down the street, quietly sneaking up to their front door.



Their house had a screened in porch that they had covered with plastic against the cold. We cautiously opened the door and set the box inside by the front door, then ran back to our car, laughing that we hadn't gotten caught in the act. As we slowly drove home, it occurred to me that they might not realize the food was there. It was a bitter cold night, and I was afraid everything would freeze including the bottles of juice and the milk.



How could I get them to find the box without letting on who had put it there? I fussed over it for awhile, then came up with the only solution I could think of. I called their number and put a washcloth over the phone mouthpiece. When they answered, I said in a gruff voice, lowering my voice's pitch as far as I could, "Check your front porch now. Santa left you something."



I said it three times to make sure they understood. They must have thought some lunatic was calling them, but I drove back and checked to make sure they had taken the box inside. They had. We laughed ourselves silly over the pure joy of getting away with it.



There is something exhilarating about this clandestine activity. I highly recommend it. If you are feeling blah and uninspired, find someone who is also in the doldrums. Secretly send them a few little things and watch what happens. Their reaction will warm you up and thaw you out. Try it! Its good for what ails you.