Nerdfighter Surprise

Let me set the scene of the surprise.  It started with a twitter message. A message that started with an address request, a hint at a surprise and ended with "no back talk." That just made laugh. It's serious when someone says "no back talk."

I am recovering from some yuckiness. Not the flu--at least the test, that I think a former student must have invented, the test that requires the longest q-tip on the planet to be inserted into the darkest depths of one's nasal cavity--that test was negative the first week I was sick. Thankfully negative, but I was still sick. I don't like to be sick. Who does really? I missed a week of school.

When I returned to school the package arrived. Magic. My poetry club students were in my classroom when I opened it.The box reminded me of something checks used to be mailed in--that rectangular, heavy cardboard shape that would fit a stack of newly printed checkbooks--well, wide checkbooks, but it's a similar shape. I read the return address and saw that the package had come from John Green's office.

My cheek muscles were feeling the smiles.

Why couldn't I have long fingernails? I had to hunt for a scissors--it only took a minute. I cut the packing tape and opened the box. Sound did escape from my mouth. I squealed. I admit it. There is no shame in joy. I happy danced. I caught my poets off guard and they were concerned until they saw me laughing, saying "wow! wow!"

I love these kinds of surprises. I love that this artist* shared her work with me. I love how well the necklaces and magnets are made. I work with resin on domino necklaces and collage. Air bubbles are tricksters. I love how these pieces are packaged--cleanly, elegantly.  I love the art card behind the bottle-cap necklaces: brilliant. Love received. Love at work in the world--that's what this surprise brought to my mind--that and I wondered how am I sharing surprise and joy with others?

I shared the box with my son in car line during pick-up. His first words, "SO, do you get all the magnets?"

He loves them too. Thank you, thank you ! We settled on a fifty-fifty split. I'm keeping my half at school. Several of my students are among the more than a million Nerdfighters now online.   The world is wide and wonderful.

*Note to the lovely and wonderful Danica:  I am behind in my official thank you noting and though I have a pay back package in the works, it's not quite finished yet.