Where my parents got this lovely tradition, I have no idea. For several years now, they have prepared a box containing seven individually wrapped gifts which they send to friends and family who are sick or having surgery, anything where the treatment and recovery are either long, scary, or both.
The gifts are small and fun - books, stuffed animals, chocolate, nice soap - whatever would cheer up a sick person.
The most interesting aspect of all this is the stuffed animal which they include in every gift package. Everyone so far has especially taken to the little fuzzy toy - young and old, business and professional people!
There is something reassuring and childlike about a stuffed animal that gives us all comfort.
I received my first gift box last week, this surgery being the first time I've needed such TLC since my parents have been doing the gift boxes.
And like everyone else, I'm enjoying the books and the chocolate. But I'm especially enjoying the stuffed cat which I keep beside me most of the time (it may not purr, but is vastly better behaved than our three live cats!).
I am recovering nicely, with the help of the cats - stuffed and live - and tons of support from my wonderful husband.
