There is one contact that we had sent packages to while they were in Iraq in '06, and picked them up again in Jan. of this year when they were deployed to A'stan.  They aren't even halfway through their deployment, but today we got a surprise package in the mail.  Now, we had gotten our share of certificates of appreciation before, and have gotten some pics in the mail, and on CD and in emails, but this time, we got an 11x14 framed document that had the certificate of appreciation at the top and their picture at the bottom.  It even had the glass in it.  It got here in one piece with no damage at all.  That is part of the surprise.  It was actually a little funny because they used the FRB2 which wasn't large enough, so they extended the flaps and taped it up like crazy. The only protection that it had was a single piece of cardboard over the glass. If I had taken anything like that to our local PO, they wouldn't even bother to look at it.  I guess we need to send them a new supply of tape in the next package we send.  They don't show a lot of supporters, but they may have family that sends to them also.  Oh, and it took 13 days to get here from Kandahar.

Gran

Oh Gran what a wonderful surprise.  It was a blessing that it made it in one piece.   But it does sound like they will be needing some more tape .

Hi Gran!  Wow, that's so cool! I think God had a hand in getting that box to you in one piece!

Take care! Julie

what a wonderful gift Gran. I'm glad that the glass made it through the mail.

Meili

Oh Gran,

You must have been thrilled to receive that precious gift.  And not to have the glass broken, amazing.  I recently received a mug from a contact in Iraq, and when I opened package, it was broken, but not only that, I could see that someone (who knows who or where it happened) opened up package in transit, because part of the mug with the writing was gone.  I just don't know why they would open box and not take the whole mug, and break it and just take the writing that was on it.

Does anyone know why they would put part of broken mug back in box.  I mean, if they are opening mail to take something.  Take the whole thing.  I am just shaking my head.  Different strokes for different folks.

Mimi

Mimi,

That must have been heartbreaking to have that tragedy happen to your prized gift.  It is even harder because you will have to "feign" the joy of receiving their gift.  At least you did receive it instead of it being lost or totally stolen.  You at least got to experience the knowledge that it was sent to you.  I hope that is some compensation.

We even received a "faux" inlaid wood box from a contact in Iraq a few months back that made it in one piece, so it sounds like a definite act of vandalism by someone who was in a bad frame of mind to do such a thing.  I wonder if some of the people over there may look for the green customs forms, which reminds me - the gifts that we receive from Iraq have always used the green forms.  I wonder why, since we have to use the large forms.

Gran

Gran,

I have this contact's e-mail, and I let them know what had happened.  I also told them, maybe you should have put fragile on it.  My contact had e-mailed me that they were sending this mug, so I was looking for it.  But I still don't understand why the person took the piece of the mug that had the wording on it.  It must have happened over there as it was a military mug.  Who knows.

And yes the customs form was green, and it must be a target for theives.  Maybe, because I remember reading a post that one supporter had some kind of rocks, or something sent to them, and when she opened package it was gone.  I forgot what thread that was in and I forgot who the "AS junkie" was.

Thank you for replying to me.  I hope you are feeling better, out of pain, and that you can move around much faster.  Mr. Gran can chase you around the house now (tee hee).  Have a nice day.

Mimi--I'm so sorry your mug was squished and pilfered!  Kind of weird, huh?  I think maybe the mug might have broken accidentally, but the taking of the base name had to have been a souvenier hunt.  I mean, if you're gonna steal it, why not steal it intact, right?

It's funny--I actually got my dad a great handmade coffee mug several years ago, while we were on vacation and it had a stone emblem on it that said "Colorado".  Hauled it over 2,000 miles in the car without incident, and when we got home, my husband dropped it in the driveway!  All we salvaged was the emblem!  LOL

And it was my box that had half the contents removed--A stone cross and a polished stone.  Not to worry--when my friend came home on R&R a few weeks ago and I got to meet him for the very first time and have lunch with him, he had brought replacements!

Maybe that will happen to YOU!  Wouldn't it be wonderful???

And Gran--GREAT news about your special gift!  Glad you are back and feeling better--we missed you!

Phillis,

So glad you told us about the replacement of your gift.  Now we don't have to feel bad about it anymore.  How wonderful to have it brought to you in person!

Thanks for telling me that I was missed - how could anyone avoid missing the biggest mouth on here?  LOL

Gran

YES!  It's all coming back to me now......CRS........lol.........has taken hold......Ingrid Bergman once said "Happiness is good health and a bad memory.........Phillis, I think that contact was in Afghanistan?........but, I do remember the post.  What are the odds of your contact coming home for R&R, you get to meet him, have lunch, and he brought replacements.  Well, that is priceless.

Gran, you were missed terribly.  I trust that your health has greatly improved too.  I keep you and Mr. Gran in my prayers.  I am still amazed that you are married for as long as you are........still in love......... and like one another.  What a gift!  What a beautiful family you have.

I wish you lived near me.  It would be so wonderful, to have a "Mom" again to talk too, and get your valuable insight on life.  God Bless you and Mr. Gran.

Love and kisses, Mimi