Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Peace and Pekoe

Home

Home
Catholic
The Language of Friendship

The Language of Friendship

Last updated on: January 18, 2017 at 2:55 pm by Kate Cousino

The Language of Friendship 2017-01-18T14:55:41-04:00 Kate Cousino

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

You know how “gift-giving” is one of the Love Languages, alongside “words of affirmation,” “acts of service,” “quality time,” and “physical touch?”

I always rank pretty high for “gift-giving” but, honestly, I think it’s really more a subset of “acts of service” than anything else, at least for me. That’s why homemade gifts are so much more heartwarming than storebought gifts, and thoughtful gifts are more gratifying than extravagant but off-the-cuff presents.

I suppose I’m saying “It’s the thought that counts.” Or maybe I’m saying that the gift IS the thought–the thought, the time, and the will, all directed outside of yourself, towards someone else.

Maybe that’s why, of all the kinds of gifts, I like care packages the best.

One arrived today, from a sweet friend in France, Tiphaine.

Everything about a care package speaks to thoughtfulness and time. Time spent collecting items, finding just the right box, filling it, packing it carefully and attractively. Writing a note to include inside, and closing it all up.

Taking a trip to the post office to mail it, sending it off with the hope that it will arrive in good shape and speed.

Doesn’t that just make you feel all warm and wonderful?

My children were bursting with impatience to get at the candy (which they spotted the moment the box was open), and didn’t quite understand their mother’s desire to read the note over slowly and lift things out one at a time to savor.

First off were some lovely teas. From my blog title, you already knew I loved tea, right? Here we have a rose-hibiscus flower herbal tea (which smells lovely!) and a strawberry-rhubarb flavored black tea! That’s one of my favorite flavor combinations, so I’m super excited to try it.

Then, of course, there was the candy “to fill the package,” the note said, though it was the star attraction for my kids.

Here is the true star attraction, though—a beautiful wood-mounted icon printed of Our Lady and the child Christ. I love the way Mary is cradling Jesus in her arms, as he chucks her on the chin. Anyone have any idea what title this icon might be known by?

I will likely add this icon to my icon wall eventually, but right now it is sitting in the windowsill directly above and in front of my desk, where my eyes can rest on it throughout the day.

In this day when we can press a few buttons, buy an item, and have it delivered without ever touching it ourselves, there’s something beautiful and human about a care package.

Thank you, Tiphaine!

Uncategorized

Previous Post

July 22, 2014

A prayer for the feast of St. Mary Magdelene

Next Post

July 26, 2014 Mother of God of Murom!

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category ADHD Blog Business Body and Soul Books Faith Faith in Action Family Feminism Fertility Awareness Friendship Geekiness Guest Post History Hope Just For Fun Love Marriage Memory Mental Exercise Movies Parenting Personalism Poetry Prayer Quotes Scripture Seven Quick Takes Striving for Holiness Television The Stories We Tell The World Uncategorized

Select a Month September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 August 2016 June 2016 March 2016 January 2016 November 2015 October 2015 August 2015 July 2015 May 2015 April 2015 February 2015 December 2014 November 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 August 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 November 2009 October 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the first miracle Jesus performed according to John's Gospel?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Feeding the 5000 Raising Lazarus Walking on water Turning water into wine

Support this
Column