Allow me to briefly recap what a whirlwind of a holiday I had and to share a story with all of you of why I adore being part of this community so much.
I was unable to get out of town to see my family for the holidays for the first time in a long time and spent the holiday season alone. Then on Christmas Eve, I tragically lost a friend of 17 years, who was involved in a hit and run while on the sidewalk walking her two dogs. Needless to say anything I had going on in my life sort of got put on hold while I dealt with the events unfolding. The vehicle was eventually found abandoned and the driver was identified but is currently on the run from police.
Now, onto the one highlight and bright spot in my otherwise abysmal holiday season. I received a mysterious package on my porch and hadn't a clue where it could be from but the senders name seemed familiar to me for some reason and I couldn't quite place it. With everything happening at the time of it's arrival I had put the package aside to focus on more pressing matters.
After sometime needed for healing and working through the busy holiday season I finally was able to revisit the mysterious package that had arrived. The name still stood out to me, until I realize it was because it was
Gryphon37, who I was Secret Santa to in 2017. I was confused as to why I was receiving a package from him this year as, I was unfortunately too late to sign up for either of the Secret Santa's this year.
As it turns out, Gryphon37 saw my post and proceeded to reach out to Michael Bergeron to get my shipping address so that he could send me a gift. It was a truly amazing, generous, and kind act for both of them to work together to grant me such a surprise. And I seriously can not tell you how much it truly meant to me that someone went out of their way like this. Especially during the difficult holiday I was experiencing. Thank you both so much. It was a wonderful gesture.
As previously shown by his official/actual Secret Santa recipient, Gryphon37 created and built a very unique item that shows "Proof that Tony Stark has a spleen"
While my version was not as massively destroyed at the original recipients' the box it arrived it was a bit beat up and the item inside was detached from it's base a little glue reapplied and it was back to normal and looking as awesome as it was intended to be. Thank you again
Gryphon37 it honestly brought light to an otherwise dark holiday season for me. I am truly proud and honored to be included and to be a part of such a talented, generous and thoughtful group of individuals.
Now, I'd be remiss if I didn't say that, I feel slightly guilty that I received this awesome gift and that Gryphon37's actual Secret Santa's gift was destroyed by the postal service before arriving to him. With that being said, as much as I enjoy this gift, I feel that I should pass along the intact version I received to Gryphon37's actual Secret Santa. Unlike me, he signed up on time and his gift was destroyed. If he is interested in receiving my intact version please have him message me and we can arrange where I can ship it too.
Again I can not thank you enough Gryphon37 for your kindness and thoughtfulness, it is a gesture I will not soon forget. You are truly a great person as is Michael for his assistance.
Happy Holidays to both of you and to the rest of the wonderful RPF Community.
-Ash