Saturday, June 25, 2011

A *french* story of amazing kindness!

This is a story about a shared love of all things french,
a person who I have never met {Leslie},
and random acts of kindness...
they were bestowed upon me...of all people me!

{isn't this french correspondence letter just lovely?}

Remember when we visited my daughter a few weeks
ago and we stopped at *the* antique mall with the
vintage french booth?

{You can read about it here if you missed it}

I mentioned that I had looked and looked for a price
on some vintage french paper pieces in the booth,
but decided they were just for display.
What I didn't tell you was that I picked up the
seller's business card and sent her an email
telling her how much I loved her booth
and that I will be visiting it whenever we
are in the area.

I received a very kind email back from Leslie
and she happened to mention that if there was
ever anything I was looking for to let her know.
Once again I replied and told her that I loved
the vintage french papers and did she have any
for sale.

{a vintage french medicinal glass and wicker carrier
along with an eiffel tower postcard!}

She replied and told me if I would give her my
address then she would just send me some.
what??

{it even says "made in france" on the bottom}

Totally surprised I passed it along to her
and I was shocked at what appeared in my
mailbox within a few days!

A huge package with all kinds of vintage french paper
ephemera along with a french skeleton key and
a french bin number.

I was just amazed at each and every little thing
and looked them all over very carefully.

A random act of kindness that left me speechless!

Beautiful photos on french papers.

French cutouts of wings and butterflies

this vintage french correspondence letter along
with the french skeleton key.

more paper goodies

several beautiful vintage telegrams.
You name it...she sent it!

A day or two later while still corresponding with Leslie,
I asked her if she could check the price of the little wicker
glass carrier with glass inside and get back with me.
She assured me that she would when she was at her
booth again. We agreed that I would pay by check
or paypal.

When I asked her the price a few days later this
was the exact wording of the email she sent to me:

Hi Sandi, wanted to let you know that you
should check your mail in the next few days
for a wonderful little package.... Leslie

You have got to be kidding me! I emailed her
again and asked her what I owed her and
she replied back:
"just enjoy it.....

What I did to deserve these acts of amazing
kindness I don't know, but I am so grateful
for her kindness to me and I told her I too
will pass along a random act of kindness.

My wonderful package arrived today and I
was thrilled to open it and find this little
treasure. She told me that a doctor in France
would order mineral spring water for many ailments
so the ladies would have their own wicker pouch and
glass and take it to the spring to drink from.
She has found three of them and all three had
differences to the glass. What an interesting
little piece that I will always treasure!!

She also told me that she started traveling to England
many years ago and always would buy anything french
at the english flea markets.
She has been to France several times in the last few years.
Last summer she spent a month about 6 hours south of Paris,
rented a fisherman's cottage ( yes it really was)
from an English couple and traveled to the brocantes with her.
Can you imagine?? What a dream to be living in so I will
live vicariously through her!! :)

Thank you so much Leslie and may you be
blessed many times over for your kindness
to me!

a very grateful french lover...

19 comments:

Unknown said...

Isn't it wonderful that there are still nice, sincere, giving people in this world. You have met a true friend. You are blessed! Tiffany

Julie Marie said...

Oooh Sandi, I am so happy for you!... what a sweet surprise from a very generous new friend!... I LOVE your vintage French water container, ooh la la!... and your French ephemera is fabulous... if anyone deserves these special tresors it is you, mon ami!... Bisous... Julie Marie

Irene said...

Bravo, what a great lady. I'm so glad she sent all those wonderful thing your way. Enjoy.

Annie Louise said...

What an amazing story. Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us. In these turbulent times it is so good to read/hear a story of total sweetness. What a blessing.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Jeanette

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Oh, I'm feeling giddy just reading about your fabulous surprises! What a generous, lovely lady Leslie is. You will always treasure these gifts, and I'm sure Leslie has a new loyal customer.
Wonderful to hear!
- Susan

Lady Farmer said...

That is absolutely charming! It is so nice to know that there are people like that still out and blessing people in this day and age when most seem to be after all they can get for themselves!
I am sure you will enjoy your treasures for years to come! They are Tres Chic and Jolie! (Hope I said that correctly! :~P
Blessings!

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Oh Sandi, This is just wonderful! What an amazingly sweet gesture from Leslie. The ephemera pieces are lovely and the glass carrier is fantastic. Enjoy the goodies!
Have a great Sunday!
Hugs,
Julia

Fig said...

I am so moved by your story. How wonderful! Enjoy!

Tricia said...

Oh my goodness, what a wonderful story. What an amazing and giving woman. I'm in love with that little wicker carrier.

WhiteWhispers2u said...

How sweet was that!The drinking glass is darling and I have passed up buying one not once but twice and always regret it.Darn it's so cute.~Cheers Kim

Miss Gracie's House said...

Now, if that isn't the sweetest thing, ever?! You are going to have so much fun with your new treasures!!
THANKS for all of the sweet words of encouragement...have a great weekend!
Rene

Sweet Old Vintage said...

I know there is so much kindness in the world but we never hear enough of it...The papers are just lovely...Wonderful for display and altered art... Can you copy some of it for more use in different projects... You have founf a very lovely lady to become friends with.... Sending blessings... I am off to finish getting ready for our guests... The nuns and Tom's brother... Away I go...

Bohemian said...

Oh Sandi what a beautiful story and I'm so delighted for you! I am sure your Heart fairly stood still as you opened that package and the French ephemera abounded!!! That was such a sweet Blessing, I love stories like this!

Dawn... The Bohemian

Passionate for White said...

I'm not surprised as I'm sure you made quite an impression on her....you are just THAT nice of a person!

sandy said...

What a lucky girl you are! Its amazing when we praise others how sweet the return can be. I wanted to thank you for your Flint farmers market post. My daughters former college roomate has asked us to meet her and her mom there soon this summer. Being antique lovers I was wondering if you could pass along the mall or store that Leslie's booth is in since we may be in that area too. Thanks for your lovely blog. Just found you during the Gina post! Going to check your etsy shop! Sandy...Hoping to go to Tipton next month!!!!

Lady Pamela said...

Dear Sandi, I am speechless. You did a wonderful job of describing everything. Your new friend has such a generous soul, just like yours. No one deserves a blessing like this more than you do.
*Hugs*

Unknown said...

No surprise to me, that Leslie saw such a beauty in you ... & decided to share her loving friendship & generosity with you.

Your ephemera is awesome ... so generous a gift. I know that you will treasure each piece & that lovely vintage basket.

I am so happy for you, sweet friend. Could not have happened to a nicer person.

TTFN ~
Love ya!
Marydon

Ido said...

Wow! I'm speechless. Beautiful treasures you have there.
Have a lovely day!
XXX Ido

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Looks like you found another kindred spirit Sandi! Your new treasures are just beautiful! This was a nice story, thanks for sharing with us!