Tales of walking, eating, watching and playing. Vintage treasures and simple pleasures ... the things that make her happy.

Thursday 27 February 2014

Flowers from a Stranger ...

Just a short tale ...

A few weeks ago VJ heard a knock at the door,
The local florist had a beautiful bouquet of flowers for her.
The card read "Thank you so very much ... from JD, Canada"
Backtracking to a couple of months before ...
VJ receives an email from JD in Canada,
asking if he can buy a Snakes and Ladders game 
featured on her blog sometime ago ... see here 

She replies to say the game is not complete, 
no box, no counters, a little dog eared and not really worth selling, 
besides ... they sometimes play with it.
He persists ... he would really like to buy it.
It is identical to the one he played with as a child ... 
it brings back many memories.
He had very little when he was young ... he is a much older man now ... 
His game was sadly lost during many moves to various rented homes.

He asks if VJ can check the board for any makers name or identifying marks, 
in order that he can try and find another.

She replies, "there are no marks on the board anywhere".

He asks again if he can buy it.  
He asks if there is anything VJ is searching for.
He says there are several antique and vintage stores in his area,
and he would love to find something for her in return.

She asks for his address, telling him she needs to calculate postage costs.
Without telling him she sends the board ... as a gift.
She wants no payment or reward.

Her Mr was sceptical ... "it could be a scam!"
When flowers arrived ... he ate his words ... "what a kind man!"
Happy childhood memories are precious.




34 comments:

Vix said...

What a lovely story! xxx

homemade@myplace said...

such a touching story!!!!!
xxxx Ale

rusty duck said...

I remember seeing your post about that board and thinking at the time how lovely it is.
What a nice thing you did.

Rosemary said...

Lovely and no much more so as you never expected it - something that reinforces the goodness in mankind.

Vintage Tea Time said...

Posting this whilst lounging, with a sea view, at Watergate Bay Hotel - you say you were tempted to book here - well I highly, highly recommend it! It's really something. The winter deal where you get meals at Jamie's, Beach hut and hotel is actually a good deal. We ate at Jamie's last night - excellent. Kind of you to send the game board; lovely flowers. X

Jane Aston said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jane Aston said...

That's a sweet thing. It's strange that these vintage things are so knitted to our sense of who we are, were.X

WILLIE...! =(^..^)= said...

What a lovely..Lovely story..!
I still have an old Monopoly game, on top the wardrobe, amongst others, l had as a child. Still has the price on it.....19/11d...In old money. Just under a pound..£.

Oh! Snakes and Ladders played with real snakes..And, real ladders....Is great fun...HeHe! :).

Things and Thoughts said...

So sweet and kind Marina!I have also related my childhood with Monopoly and this kind of games...The bouquet is wonderful but receiving it much more!

thesnailgarden said...

Such a lovely tale, heart-warming! Best wishes, Pj x

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Lovely surprise, non? Don't you just adore these moments in life that are so magical!

Deb said...

Such a beautiful story. We don't hear enough of them.

Barbara said...

That is such a lovely story. I'm so glad you sent the board, and I'm thrilled that he sent you flowers. There are some really nice folks in the world – and you are one of them!

Jen said...

That is a wonderful story.

Unknown said...

what a lovely story to tell - it makes me feel lovely and warm inside!! - i have to say it was very generous of you as well because if that snakes and ladders board was mine i would have kept it!!!! xx

Greenorchid said...


Kindness makes the world go around the world go around kindness makes... Cx

~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ said...

What a sweet story and such pretty flowers!! Have a lovely day!! xo Holly

Rose H (UK) said...

What a wonderful story M, with a happy ending for two lovely folk with an ocean between them :o)
Rose H
xx

Down by the sea said...

That's a love story and nice of both of you to give each other gifts! Sarah x

freckleface said...

That is really lovely of both of you, thank goodness for nice people! Xxx

nilly said...

What a sweet story! These are the sort of sales I love, even if they aren't profitable. (Mr N thinks I'm a bit of a soft touch - or mug!)

Miss Marie said...

Oh wow! What a lovely story and sharing of gifts between strangers! I think my boyfriend would have been suspicious in exactly the same way as yours was... but I'm glad he was proved wrong. Thanks for sharing the story.

Flaming Nora said...

Oh sniff! What a treasure you really are! xx

Flaming Nora said...

Oh sniff! What a treasure you really are! xx

elegancemaison said...

You deserve the flowers VJ - what a sweet gesture on your part and on his.

I love old Snakes and Ladders boards. The game was difficult to find even a couple of years ago when I tried to buy one for my Australian granddaughter who was about to visit. Finally found an old one in a charity shop and what fun we had when she visited aged four.

Since then she has often loved playing it and later on baby brother aged two and a half enjoyed joining in. Much more fun than TV or tablet games.

Hoping to see you at a fair very soon - maybe Blandford? Cx

greenthumb said...

That's so nice.

The Dainty Dolls House said...

Ahhh...so sweet, what a wonderful thing xx

Shrimpton and Perfect said...

Smashing. You've made my day.

Jean x

Anne said...

What a lovely story. Just shows how much nostalgia plays a big part in our lives.

Jo said...

How sweet! Stories like this restore your faith in humanity.

tlcukjourney said...

Lovely story!
I loved that game as a child.
How are you Jane?
I Hope you have been keeping well, I have had a couple of hours to catch up on blogs today and I always love stopping by yours!
I hope you have a phenomenal week!
Much love,
Tammy

Jenny Woolf said...

What a very nice tale! Goodwill all round.

And it is a DELIGHTFUL board. I'd love one like it too. I recently blogged about a fantastic mother of pearl and mahogany one from India (where they've apparently played this game for 800 years) but actually I think I would prefer this one if it was for me.

Jane the Booklady said...

I'm so happy for you. I had a similar situation. I sent a very scruffy book to a man in India as a gift.He replied with such warmth that we have now become friends and I feel so happy I made that connection. Jane xx

Kristie said...

Oh my! Sometimes life gives you back something for your kind gestures and this is one of those times. What a sweet and kind man! The flowers are, of course, gorgeous. I bet they bring a smile to your face everyday you look at them. :-)