Dear Abby.
Dear Abby-without-a-last-name,
I’m still trying to figure out which Abby you are, since a quick search of the 3,489 comments on my blog turned up multiple Abby’s. And so, since I don’t know who this specific Abby is, you get a whole post dedicated just to you.
What you probably didn’t know when you placed that order for flowers to be delivered to my office was that they arrived the day after everything ended. All ten weekly programs were done, volunteers released for the semester, leaders free of their responsibilities. Even Allie’s done for the semester, needing to take the rest of this year to get ready to walk down a very important aisle just a few weeks from now.
And so, last Friday, it was just me in the office throughout the day. Just me and a couple of puppies that I brought from home to help make the office a little bit louder.
And there was your box on the front steps.
No one’s ever sent flowers to me to celebrate the end of the semester, Abby. There’s no one in the office with me on my personal Black Friday each semester, the day after everything for everyone else ends. They all leave — as they should! — and I’m left with piles of paperwork and folders and journals on my desk higher than my head.
And so it’s up to me to pick up the leftover wrapping paper and to finish the financial reports and to answer the remaining emails. I’ll be the one to answer the phones and to check the mail and to turn off the lights at night. That Friday is always the defining moment of the semester, when everyone leaves.
Except me.
But this year, Abby, before I touched the paperwork, before I began cleaning up the kitchen and even before I turned on the computer, I sat on our couch in the lobby and opened up your box of flowers, your gift sent to me to acknowledge a very long semester of programs come to an end.
And somehow, with them sitting here on my desk, the office doesn’t seem so lonely anymore.
Thank you, Abby-without-a-last-name.
Love,
Amy Beth
Posted: November 25th, 2008 under Uncategorized.
Comments: 9
Comments
Comment from taryn in ny
Time: November 25, 2008, 12:03 pm
Awww!
Comment from Amanda
Time: November 25, 2008, 12:33 pm
That is awesome!
Comment from Ronnica
Time: November 25, 2008, 12:33 pm
What a perfect gift! (This post made me want to say “Will the real Abby please stand up?”)
Comment from Mocha with Linda
Time: November 25, 2008, 2:54 pm
SOOOO sweet.
Since I can’t comment on the post after this one, I have to say: my heart hurts for you, and I’m sending a hug and a prayer your way!!!
Comment from ran
Time: November 25, 2008, 4:58 pm
Looks like Abby understood the hard work you put in!
And since I can’t post on “Gone”…..I just want to say, I know it hurts, but look what you did. What is your tag line on your blog….”your playing small does not serve the world”. You just lived it! You played big, and took a risk, and helped two other people, in a way that no one else seemed willing to do. You showed them Christ…..now it’s up to her to learn from from your playing big. May not be today, or next week, but you planted the seeds of kindness, and showed her Christ.
Comment from Christy
Time: November 25, 2008, 9:39 pm
Oh my that is so sweet 
) I am so glad you received such a wonderful gift when you needed it most. Our God loves us so much that He uses others, like the beautiful Abby, to let you know how special you are. And how very loved you are.
((HUG))
Comment from Erika
Time: November 25, 2008, 9:50 pm
It’s funny how God knows exactly what we need when we need it. Thank goodness for people who don’t hesitate to encourage those around them….how lucky you are. 
It seems like it’s always the little things that mean the most. Happy Thanksgiving!
Comment from Mocha with Linda
Time: November 28, 2008, 5:32 pm
Weird – the box for comments under the post about the room is gone, although it doesn’t say Comments Closed.
Anyway, just wanted to say I hurt for you and wish I could whisk away the pain. Your comment touched me – “you won’t even know he was here”. But God will ALWAYS know. Whatever you did for Roomie, you did for Him, and He will not let it return void.
You’ve had much pain in your life recently. Hang in there and know that “we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:3-5
Easier said than done, I know, but He will finish the work He began in you!!
Hugs to you, my blog friend.
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Comment from Abby
Time: November 25, 2008, 11:43 am
You are welcome…