Unexpected Package

In preparation for shipping books soon, I ordered a pile of shipping supplies. 16 packages arrived this morning via UPS. As I watched them unload I mentally checked off the items I’d ordered. There was one package I couldn’t identify. I looked at it closer and realized that it was not part of my shipping supply order, but it was definitely addressed to me.

I took the mystery package inside and opened it. Inside were copies of Alcatraz and Mistborn: The Well of Ascension. I pulled the books out with delight and read the note enclosed with them. An LJ reader and Schlock fan (Blackcoat) attended a book signing that is part of Brandon Sanderson’s book tour. He took the time to get these books signed and then mailed them to us.

This delights me on several levels.

First and foremost, someone cared enough to send us books. Even more than that, he cared enough to get the books inscribed “To the Tayler family.” It is easy to have an impulse to do something nice for someone else. I have those all the time. But following through is another matter entirely. There are thousands of phone calls I’ve intended to make, but didn’t. Thousands of flowers not given. Thousands of cookies not made. (Actually lots of those cookies did get made, they just didn’t get delivered to the intended recipient.) The unexpected kindness, given with no thought of return, is priceless without measure. I’m honored to receive.

Second, we know Brandon Sanderson. It amuses me greatly to think of Brandon writing this inscription without a clue about which Tayler family these books are going to. Or perhaps there was some conversation and Brandon knew exactly who the books were bound for. That makes me happy to think about too. Either way kind people were conspiring to do something nice for us.

Third, These books arrive in the middle of a rough week. Now I have new books to read while Howard is gone. Yay for good fiction!