Two Christmas Delights in One

There are always many thoughtful & humorous items that change hands in our household for the holidays.  This year, even more than normal, there were obvious personalized, well thought out gifts that were not costly but very special.
One gift, though, deserves special acknowledgement.  Special friend Julie (now in Pennsylvania) and I have fairly consistently exchanged gifts at the holidays.  The often humorous, always heartfelt, & sometimes late items (if I'm the sender!) are special, even sentimental, items.

I can't peg exactly when we sent a particular box to Pennsylvania (can you, Jules?) but I think either 2002 or 2003. Next year, here came the same box back with different contents. So we dutifully recharged the interior & off it went.
By our count, the box has crossed the nation at least six times now--but it could be eight.  It's looking a little dog-eared but it's almost waterproof now with the layers of tape. It's especially perfect as the addresses are always at the ready depending on which flaps you fold in first. Now it's Washington or--presto chango--now it's Pennsylvania.
Besides just reappearing once again, the box always makes us laugh as it passes through local 'customs'. The original sender (not Julie) incorrectly sent it to our street address rather than our PO Box & the post office staff make a big 'her-umph' every time an item shows up without our box number. You know, they 'have to look it up'! (this is the moment you place your hand to your forehead with a big sigh!) By now, our PO Box number has been written in large magic marker on almost every face of the box so it no longer delays the delivery & as Jim told the post office staff this year, 'just give it up!'


This year the contents were especially wonderful:  a great little balancing monkey.
It's a Brass Monkey!!
Too hard to explain, but suffice it to say there are Brass Monkeys residing in Pennsylvania & Washington that have been "members" for nearly 35 years!
How perfect!  Isn't he just the cutest?! (Maybe it's a she!?)
I think he'll go with me to my office as a daily smile-maker.

Thanks, Julie!
The box is resting now, awaiting the next season ahead...