OPINION
ABIGAIL ALLEN
I'm usually not one for surprises.
When I was a kid, I would ask for presents for my birthday or Christmas when I was on the shopping trip with my parents and didn't mind knowing what I was waiting to receive when they would go ahead and buy them at the time.
As an adult, I am not the best at receiving presents, so it's rare that I'm good with someone surprising me with a gift.
There have been exceptions to that.
I have a sweet reader turned wonderful friend who likes to bring flowers or goodies when she can tell the week has probably been stressful.
Another friend gave me a beautiful arrangement that was different than anything I've ever seen to celebrate when my family purchased the newspaper. I had another community member who brought by flowers and a card when she could tell the feeling in the community was tense. There's also just something incredibly sweet about receiving a beautiful bouquet that you had no idea was coming, as I've recently experienced a couple of times. Life is full of surprises.
Unexpected twists and turns that can either be for the best or bring hardship.
I'm learning to embrace the happy surprises that come my way with gratitude instead of a fear that I won't be able to return the gesture in just the right way.
I guess you could say I'm learning to smell the roses.
Abigail Allen is the Editor & Publisher of the Post-Signal. She can be reached at aallen@postsignal. com.
