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A Christmas Gift Sent from An Angel

By
Industry Observer with Retired

Sometimes the Best Gifts don't come in a box and don't need to be gift wrapped.

A Christmas Gift


I have a tradition that I started a number of years ago. On my Christmas Tree near the top is a Gold box shaped like a book. Inside this book box are the names and last greeting cards for friends, family and special client friends that have passed away. This way they are always a part of my holidays and each is remembered. Each year before I mount the box on the tree, I open it and read each card and remember each person whose memory is tucked safely inside.

My Book of Memories

This afternoon I added in the card from last Christmas of a past client and wonderful friend Dorothy Miller that passed away earlier this year. She was one of my favorite people in the world and we would still talk at least once a month even though it has been over 5 years since I sold her last home. I have worked for her and her numerous real estate interests over the span of my entire real estate career. We always remembered each others Birthday and special occasions

As I checked my e-mail after taking a break from decorating the tree, there was a greeting card from Jacquie Lawson.com. I clicked on it and it was one of the most beautiful sentiments I have ever received and it filled me with such amazing and wonderful feelings that her family would remember me in such a special way. They signed the animated greeting from Angel Dorothy. 

This was one special and meaningful gift that I will always treasure.  

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Comments (27)

Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

William, the best way to remember every one at Christmas! So true, sometimes gifts do not come wrapped or in a box. They are special gifts.

Dec 13, 2011 03:16 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

William - what a thoughtful tradition. And them, sending a card from Agngel Dorothy is so touching. And I will not talk here about your gorgeous visuals, my friend...

Dec 13, 2011 03:52 PM
Susan Neal
RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

Hi William - You are a caring person, and I like your memory book tradition.

Dec 13, 2011 03:56 PM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

William my wife has a Christmas card her grandparents gave her when she only 13 years old.  Each Christmas she lays it out, yellowed, faded but filled with love a true treasure.  Good for you for holding your memories dear and near to the heart!

Dec 13, 2011 04:23 PM
Marilyn Boudreaux
Marilyn Boudreaux, Century 21 Bono Realty - Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles LA Century 21 Realtor

That is such a beautiful tradition Willam! Gives me an idea of what I can do with some old kids cards and family Xmas photos! Thank you for sharing with us!

Dec 13, 2011 05:12 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

What a beautiful gesture from the angel Dorothy and what a special yearly custom to embrace!

Dec 13, 2011 05:29 PM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

William, what a wonderful tradition you have with your Christmas box on the tree. It is a great way to remember them. And the ecard from Angel Dorothy, well, that was special too!

Dec 13, 2011 10:14 PM
Jeanean Gendron
The Address Realty - Redding, CA
Specializing in Selling Unique Properties

William, I saw this last night but could not comment. I had to go away and integrate the idea. It is a lovely way to honor and remember those that have been in our lives. I am so touched and moved. Thank you so much for sharing this. I am so glad you were blessed with that eCard. That special touch just for you is because you are kind in all you do. Have a beautiful day, my friend. Your tree is beautiful and you inspire me to get the big tree out and get it up. It would be a good thing.

Dec 14, 2011 01:38 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

That's a really wonderful tradition, William!  As I told you in our last phone conversation, I'm lagging so far behind in decorating for the holidays this year, that I will likely never catch up.  However, I'm spending a great deal of time feeling really nostalgic about Christmases passed.  It is the people I've been touched by, and shared with, who bring the warmest of feelings!  Many have moved on to The Great Beyond, yet they live forever in my heart! 

Beautiful photos as always, William!

Dec 14, 2011 04:35 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS on having this blog FEATURED in the Photos group, William!  It provides warm sentiment and beauty for the season!

Dec 14, 2011 04:44 AM
Elva Branson-Lee
Solid Source Realty GA - Atlanta, GA
CDPE - Atlanta Real Estate & Short Sale Agent

Oh my, William. This is one of the most beautiful traditions and sentiments I've come across this year. This post is truly uplifting. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

Dec 15, 2011 02:07 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Thursday morning.  Thanks for sharing your wonderful gold box tradition and your greeting card from Angel Dorothy.

I hope your home is filled with happiness as we enjoy the holiday season.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Ornament on Our Home Tree IMG_2589.  Photograph by Roy Kelley.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Dec 15, 2011 03:37 AM
Diane Lipps
DA Rock of Homes - Broker/Owner/REALTOR (469-879-1301) - Rockwall, TX
Broker "Lake Ray Hubbard Real Estate"

It is so true that the cards from passed on friends/family are the most special.  I love what you do with them!

Dec 15, 2011 04:25 AM
Bob & Leilani Souza
Souza Realty 916.408.5500 - Roseville, CA
Greater Sacramento Area Homes, Land & Investments

William...wow. This is the most heartwarming Christmas tradition I have ever heard. A box like this containing cherished memories that you can rekindle every time you open it and read past Christmas cards is indeed the best gift! Thank you for sharing this with us. :)

 

Leilani

 

Dec 16, 2011 05:19 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

William,

Touching!

Moving!

Kind!

Thoughtful!

The perfect gift box of remembrance.

Patricia

Dec 17, 2011 04:40 AM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

William what a wonderful tradition you started and are passing on to others who may be reading! 

How were you inspired to start such a tradtion?

A perfect time of year to honor those who have touched your life.

May you have a wonderful holiday season.

Gloria 

Dec 17, 2011 12:00 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

William~you have a heart of gold. And Angel Dorothy is watching over you . I have never heard of ANYONE doing this, and I love that concept!

 

My dad died just after Christmas, wow over 13 years ago (I try not to commemorate the date, actually) and I was just going through a drawer of photos and found the last Christmas card he signed (thanks to my mom's prompting)...he truly was dying, but took the time to sign it, I Love You, Dad...and it was barely legible--made me sad, but I was thrilled to have retrieved it just before Christmas, and felt like he was  reaching out to me and saying that he is still watching over me.

I have it displayed on my counter with some of my very special Christmas cards.

Dec 18, 2011 07:44 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

OK William, you wrote this blog 5 days ago, and you haven't posted another.  I know you are still breathin' because I've seen your comments.  So, that must mean you are REALLY celebrating the holidays?  You are REALLY enjoying a house guest? . .OR you are writing a killer of a blog to celebrate making 1 million points on ActiveRain?. . .LOL

It could also mean that OR should be an AND, like in "All of the Above!"

Dec 19, 2011 02:46 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Happy Holidays!  Happy Chanukah!  Merry Christmas!

Holiday Decorations in Colonial Williamsburg IMG_1319

 

Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Dec 20, 2011 03:04 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Wonderful tradition to remember special people in our lives. A greeting from Angel Dorothy...they know what's important to you!

Margaret

Dec 20, 2011 07:51 AM