Letter from Odd Balls
Kit McDonald of Odd Balls, “the best little paper company in Arkansas,” is one of our favorite people. Each May, we look forward to “Happy Hour” at her lovely booth at the National Stationery Show. Her great energy, artistic talent and wry sense of humor are an inspiration to us all.
In early October, we received a letter from Kit which, with her permission, I would like to share with you. I have shortened it a bit to keep the word count manageable, but I am sure that it will lift your spirits as much as it did ours:
Dear All,
The blessing of being part of a profession that is founded on the celebrations of life – now that’s a winner. How fortunate we are. Let us always be grateful that we are able to be a part of these significant times: marriage, a new life and endless other joyous moments. In much of the world and in our own country, as well, a new life can mean anguish for the family – let us never forget.
At this moment in time, it requires a great deal of effort from each of us to move the significant parts in our lives to the fore, and allow the issues and concerns, that the media feels should supersede all else, to return to their correct position. Life, and all components thereof, have a defined cycle. The current economic profile resembles a life cycle coming to fruition. all living entities reach maturity; humans, animals, fruit . . . an apple at its prime is lush, juicy and filled with a colorful blush. Within are the seeds for the next generation. For the cycle to continue, that apple must fall to the ground, decompose and deposit its seeds for the next cycle. How similar an analogy to our current world. We are seeing God and nature at work, correcting human error and putting things right for the next generation! Man, are we lucky! We are all being restored, despite ourselves, to a mature, rational and responsible way of living. May the fluff fly away!
Easily said. However, there is naught in our current situation that man has not endured before, and probably ten-times fold. Be heartened by this – as civilization has endured for eons.
One of my favorite stories is of the old faithful gardener, whom the family kept-on into his 90’s. While sitting on a bench in the warming sun, the grandson of the original employer, came up and sat beside him. “James, what is your favorite Bible verse?” he asked. James replied, “And it came to pass . . ” “”Why, forever , do you like that one?” the Grandson queried. “Cause i know it is a promise that this too at some point will be gone.”
I implore each of you to focus on that which you have control over; seek encouragement and help – when it is beyond your control; measure and discard that which is useless or non-productive; know the sun shall rise and shine tomorrow, and so should each of us; and be grateful for the abundance that we all enjoy. Odd Balls has been so fortunate to have each of you as a part of our lives.
We are forever in your debt.
Kit
And we too are in your debt for taking a step back from the day-to-day and sharing these thoughts with us. Thank you.
Sheila May
Founding Member
November 20th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
[...] of community that is reinforced each day as we interact with our neighbors. In the words of Kit McDonald of Oddballs “the blessing of being part of a profession that is founded on the celebrations of life – now [...]