Sandwiched between the credit card offers and jewelry advertisements, I found an envelope addressed to my daughter.

The handwriting on the front was what I can only describe as a happy scrawl. I didn’t recognize the return address.

Holding the envelope in my hand, I could feel the bulk of something stuffed inside. I was anxious to see what it might be. I opened the envelope carefully and pulled out a card with two chickens on the front. Inside the card, I found a stack of stickers, a handful of stick-on tattoos, and a message written to my little girl.

“You are precious! You bring joy and laughter to so many. Love you BIG!”

It was signed by a dear friend that took time out of her day to send happy mail to my girl. On a dreary Tuesday afternoon, that card delivered sunshine. My daughter sat at the table inspecting her goodies as I read her the message inside. Then something beautiful happened.

After a week of mood swings, attitude, whining, drama, poor decisions, and emotions, my girl asked why our friend sent her such a special gift. Then she looked up at me and said, “Maybe she sent me this present because she thinks I’m nice!”

We talked about whether stick on tattoos would be best placed before or after bath time. As I ran her bath, she continued to make a list of reasons she is loved.

That happy mail inspired her to make a list of all the reasons our friend would love her.

It was just a card and a stack of stickers, but it was so much more than a card and a stack of stickers. It was a bright spot in our day and a beautiful reminder that small gestures can bring great joy to those we love.

I’m off to help a very happy little girl apply a hoard of sparkly tattoos. Then I’m going to drop off a stack of happy mail and remind a boatload of people that I love them BIG.

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