#ra-overload

In August I returned from walking the dogs to see something propped up against the door.  Taking care of the doggie responsibilities I brought the tube indoors and dug out our trusty scissors. 

Inside was a POSTER FROM THE CRUCIBLE all because an anonymous donor gave some to guylty to share with Well Wishers who were were unable to see the play.   This poster will always be a token of the beautiful spirit of lovely people from around the world who make strangers happy without any concern for themselves.   There is kindness and goodness in this world and John Proctor’s face will always remind me of that.

There was a lovely note from guylty in the tube, written on custom stationery (the Lucas photo).  You made my heart sing Guylty!

And a guylty orginal … her own photo of our hero at the Berlin premiere of The Desolation of Smaug in Berlin, December 2013.   It is a magical thing to hold a real photo taken by a real person in the real world in comparison to all of the virtual beauty I’m used to.

But that was not all.   My heart lept into my throat when I found a tin in the package.  The level of high pitched squeals emanating from the general vicinity of my flailing body sent our dogs into fits.   I did the dance of joy and scared my poor son.

When I opened the enchanted RAPS I giggled, snorted, oohed and ahhhed.  Thornton was my, as he was for so many others, gateway drug.  It was through North & South that I first became aware of a compelling actor who had a powerful way of drawing you in by barely moving.  Thornton was not an easy, genial man.  He was prickly, outspoken and had quite the temper but Richard made you want to know more, to care, and for the difficult man to get the girl.   That kiss in the train station had me weeping and swooning.  To have my very own portable shrine means there’s always a swoon at my fingertips.  There are also naughty giggles  because of the bunny.   guylty wouldn’t know it when she made it but ever since an early chapter in a Richard RPF I’m writing I will never be able to see a bunny again without giggle-snorting.  It is apropos to have a bunny in an RAPS.

The RAPS came with me to Nova Scotia and to Ottawa ... eliciting smiles and happiness even when internet connection was non-existent and I couldn't otherwise get an RA 'fix'.

Thank you guylty for this wonderful treasure.  You have so much happening in your own life and yet you take time, energy, creative efforts and resources to make others happy.  You are a treasure and an inspiration.   Thank you to Jane for donating the poster and resources.  You are this summer’s Secret Santa – bringing joy to girls and boys who weren’t able to journey to London to see our Hero in the performance of a lifetime.   Thank you to ra-overload for putting a bee in guylty’s ear to suggest that I might go insane for a RAPS – you are a loving kind friend and I am sorry to tell you, you’re stuck with me ;-)

You ladies have made me happier than happy and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.