This afternoon, my two house dogs Bosco (miniature dachshund) and Maggie Mae (Jack Russell Terrierist) started barking and raising a ruckus. They do that sometimes just for the fun of it, so I didn't think anything of it until I heard footsteps on the porch and a knock on the door. I scooped Bosco up under my arm so he wouldn't go streaking out the door when I opened it, but when I opened the door there was nobody there. I did, however, almost trip over a box that had been set on the porch right outside the front door, and I saw a FedEX truck heading out the driveway. My husband has a habit of ordering stuff online and not telling me, so it never surprises me to have a package delivered that I wasn't expecting.

He's usually ordering pipe tobacco from Leaf & Ale, or fancy coffee from Briar and Bean or something. This package came from Wine Country Gift Baskets...what the heck?? We don't even drink...now what has he ordered?? On the way into the dining room to set the package on the table, I noticed it was addressed to ME...??? And the label says "Gift card is enclosed." so I opened it up, and the card says "I was thinking of you. I might be home before Christmas. This is for all you do. A gift for you. Bonnie." Wow...and it's a really nice gift basket full of fancy chocolates, cookies, crackers, cheese, a cutting board, tea bags...how sweet is that?? I cried when I read the card and saw it was from one of our "kids in the sandbox." (Bonnie is 51 and has been in the Army for 30 years...it tickles her when I refer to her as one of our "kids in the sandbox.")

Our troops do enough for us already; I certainly don't ask anything but for them to make it home safe and well to their loved ones. Over the four years we've been supporting the troops, I've gotten five Certificates of Appreciation, and one of our Soldiers sent me a battalion T-Shirt. But I've never gotten a fancy gift basket from one of our heroes. I'm going to send her an e-mail to let her know I got it, but I'm also going to handwrite a nice Thank You card and send it via snail-mail. She said when she gets home, she and her husband are going to come to Tennessee and meet us in person. They are going to be moving from New York state to Arizona, and are planning to swing through Tennessee (albeit a bit out of the way) to see us. I'm looking forward to that.

I just wanted to share with my fellow junkies. I know I've read about things some of y'all have received from your heroes, so I thought you might want to hear my awesome news.

 Oh Tracy -

    you gave me goosebumps!  What a wonderful day this turned out to be for you.  I'm glad you heard from one of your "kids". 

She sounds like a sweetheart and she thinks highly of you and your friendship and support.  God bless you! 

Wow Ms. Tracy,

It doesn't get any better than that......what a marvelous gift from your "kid".  You are a wonderful and extremely patriotic supporter.  God Bless you.

Mimi

What a feeling of elation it gives a person to be recognized as a valued friend of the troops!  I know that it almost makes the heart leap with excitement and causes tears of joy to flow.  How wonderful you could be honored in such a way.

Gran

How very special!  Congratulations! 

 Oh WOW! What a wonderful surprise for you, and for the rest of us as well.  + It's so nice to read about these things happening.

   I had a WOW moment today as well. Hit some yard Sales and Apple festivals. At the Relay for Life booth they had scented pencils. I thought these were really cool and would be a great add in to the boxes. So I bought a bunch and mentioned what I was doing with them. A man at the booth said You're sending packages to the troops?  I said Yes, and spoke about AnySoldier.  he reached in his pocket and  pulled out money and bought more pencils  for me to send.

 Then as I was walking back to my car, a girl came running over  and handed me a bunch more pencils saying "it's a good thing that you're doing.here are more".  WOW.  

 This is just great everyone.....it's a different world for me, and I admit I am very proud to be part of it.

 So Miss Tracy, what kind of chocolate was in the basket.Hmmm???

  Smiles

 Amy

Thanks so much for sharing such great news,  you've got a very thoughtful 'kid'.  And how special will that be when you get to meet in person?      Sweet memories indeed.    Anita

AmyG:

 So Miss Tracy, what kind of chocolate was in the basket.Hmmm???

  Smiles

 Amy

Hmmmm....there was a dark chocolate covered pretzel from Rocky Mountain Chocolates, some Ghirardelli (Okay, I can't spell it) milk chocolate squares and truffles, a fancy small chocolate bar with cashews and caramel. There was also some Brie cheese and a box of "handcrafted" peppercorn crackers, and some roasted garlic Italian Toast rounds. Last but not least, a package of English Breakfast Tea bags. I'm a tea drinker...those are a hit. Oh, and a cheese spreader and cutting board. I'm tellin' ya, it was awesome...Bonnie is going to get a big hug when we finally get to meet her - for now she has to settle for one of these {{{{{{{{{{Bonnie}}}}}}}}}}

Wine Country Gift Baskets is a great way to send anyone appreciation and is beautifully done I order through them all the time it always put smiles on everyone faces.

So, I can only imagine the big grin on your face with it being from a far away distant friend from the sandbox country of one of your soldiers. I am so honored you have shared that with us.

We can only imagine when the soldiers get a box or letter from you what it does for them. It is truly nice and genuine of this soldier to pay forward the kindness in return. None of us ever expect; but as you say it does make us feel as if we did make even a little of a difference and they wanted to pay it forward.

I joined the any soldier site in march and have sent numerous letters and packages to all different units. The first time I saw a soldier acknowledge thanks with my name on AnySoldier site ("where to send"  with the soldiers post to me and others, for all to see I cried. Then came another first time I received a letter, then a card, later a post card, than email,  all from different units, made my heart fill with joy. These were different units and different groups who only knew of me through letters, packages and cards. The other day I received the certificate of appreciation and I am sure has to be signed through the chain of command so I definately take this as an honor and will put it in a scrapbook as this certificate was written to myself and 5 year old son, as we send these items together. This warmed my heart and also my son.

I very much appreciate that you shared your story and hope others do as well as I have. I am glad that most of my units are back home or will be leaving soon and will have to pick up other units to help. I tried not to become emotionally attached but how can you not?

 All take care, This is my first post on this as well.

How great it must have been to receive the certificate Danielle.  Good job to you and your son.

 The good feeling you get when you get ANYTHING from one of your troops never goes away, whether it's a letter, a postcard, a certificate (especially a certificate!! That's quite an honor!), an e-mail, a mention of your name in a contact's update, or a totally unexpected gift. Every time I check the mail there's a sense of "is this the day I get a letter from one of our kids in the sandbox?" anticipation. You'll find that to be true. Not get emotionally attached? Ha...that's what makes this site so addictive.

I can't but help feel good to hear back even though I know to never expect it. With there busy hours and what is happening over there it is an honor and very proud of them. Like a proud momma! I share with friends and family. This is changed my sons way of thinking every time we go somewhere he wants to buy something for the soldiers. He is a proud little honory ambassador to the soldiers and I love it.

 Thanks for your encouraging words.

mags,

Thank you.