Surprise!

 A parcel arrived today!

The sticker from customs adds to the mystery!  What is in this carefully wrapped package?

The parcel had gone to Tomb Street because I wasn't at home when the postman tried to deliver it ... and ... not really wanting to have to take a run there I had it redirected to the Co-op post office.  

The guy behind the counter didn't need to see identification as the TV ad was running and every few seconds my face (and Eliot's) appeared on the screen above him!  There was a bit of a queue so I had time to appraise the ad ... it needs some changes.  There's too much printed information on some of the pages so that you couldn't read it unless your eyesight is 20:20.  A couple of the pages are a bit dull too ... I need to source a couple more colourful images to attract attention.

I'll put my mind to that early next week and see if it can be improved.

Anyhow, back to the surprise parcel.  

There was no point just taking pictures of the outside ... it is the nature of a gift that you have to open it!

Inside was a carefully packed box with a little card, two sand dollars (with a wee bit of Californian sand) and a gorgeous mug - all from a friend whom I've never met.  She's a fellow 365er and we've been following each other's photographs for fifteen months.

This just had to be the picture for today on the 365Project so that I could thank Autumn for the present.  There's something about the design that conveys glorious sunshine and warmth.  It is just what you need when temperatures here remain very low and the morning frost takes an age to clear.

As for sand dollars and the mystery that they contain ... dare I break one open ... ?  Not yet, I think!  Having travelled safely from America and survived the postal journey how could I consider such destruction ... but if I don't ... the contents remain hidden.  All I have is information gleaned from the internet to inform me. 

The Legend of the Sand Dollar

There's a lovely little legend that I would like to tell, 
of the birth and death of Jesus, found in this lowly shell.

If you examine closely, you'll see that you find here,
four nail holes and a fifth one, made by a Roman's spear.

On one side the Easter lily, its centre is the star,
that appeared unto the wise men and led them from afar.

The Christmas poinsettia etched on the other side,
reminds us of his birthday, our happy Christmastide.

Now break the center open, and here you will release,
the five white doves awaiting, to spread good will and peace.

This simple little symbol, Christ left for you and me,
to help us spread his Gospel, through all eternity.

There are a number of versions of this legend ....

http://www.qualityshells.com/legend-of-the-sand-dollar.html  provides some images of the different parts.

Nail holes

Easter Lily

Star

Poinsettia 

Five white doves ... inside the sand dollar they are in a star shape which easily breaks apart to give five bird like fragments.  

So, it would be to see these five "doves" that I'd have to break the sand dollar open ... not yet!

All this day, O Lord,

let me touch as many lives as possible for thee;

and every life I touch, do thou by thy Spirit quicken,

whether through the word I speak,

the prayer I breathe,

or the life I live.

Mary Sumner (1828-1921)