I have known her since we were in our early 20's. She is an exquisite woman, with a wonderful flare for clothing and design. She is also a gifted artist, who works with paper, paint, the sun and plants to create some of the most amazing natural artwork I've ever seen.
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She came for a visit yesterday bearing gifts for me and the girls. What a delight. Then with a pause and a twinkle she said, "I have something special for you, Beth." From the folds of a slim book thrust into her chic purse, she withdrew a leaf and placed it carefully into my hands.
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I gasped. She smiled. "When I found this leaf," she said in her lovely silvery voice. "I knew it was for you."
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A gift so beautifully fragile---so genuinely surprising and unexpectedly perfect, I was touched with awe.
