So sorry for the delay! DH's car is a goner after it was rear-ended Wednesday night by a white van man on his mobile phone. The great unveiling was delayed until last night, but it was perfect.
True to her word Fabia21's parcel arrived and when I opened it, it was ...wow... beautiful. Fabia - I had to unwrap it but can I just say that the love and care you put into wrapping that little Mouse left me and DH very close to tears. You and your daughter are magnificent.
I'd bought a little Maileg suitcase, ready for the arrival home, and a tiny nightie which I placed into the case, along with a little shell (DD is a little collector of shells and we spend many a happy afternoon looking for pretty ones on our local beach). Also into the case went a tiny little wooden rabbit that Fabia21's daughter thoughtfully put into the parcel. Then I covered the whole lot with a tiny blanket crocheted (sp?) by my MIL.
Last night, we were all sat around the kitchen table eating dinner. I'd asked my lovely neighbour to creep up and place little Mouse by the front door, knock gently then run away. But what actually happened was this:-
I'd forgotten to close the blinds in the kitchen bay window so lovely neighbour had to crawl, commando style to place little mouse on the case, on the doormat, before knocking and crawling away. In his attempt to reach to the door and knock, he kicked a load of milk bottles over, so naturally, he just scarpered. The sound of the bottles startled us and DD dashed to the door, flung it open and.... silence. Just silence. There she saw little Mouse, sitting on her full suitcase, with a luggage label tied to the handle (one that I'd written in scrawl with my left hand hehe - "How I've missed you, LittleEsme's DD. I've enjoyed exploring and making new friends, but I missed you too much to stay away for longer. Now, I just want to curl up and sleep. I'm so glad to be home.").
So, she just stood there, staring and open mouthed. I wish I'd photographed it - she was stunned. She eventually scooped her up and went to sit in the lounge quietly. I felt a little bit of an anti-climax to be honest since I was expecting yelling and running around, but when I sat with her, I could just see the tears rolling down her face. Real tears of happiness. I've said this before, but I really mean it when I say that it was the stuff dreams are made of.
So, the little case is on her bedside table, with the post-cards propped against it. Matilda mouse is back in DD's hand, firmly clutched and firmly found. She has not parted with her, at all. Even in the bath, the Mouse is sat on the windowsill. In sleep, she's clutched in her hand. Please have a look at my pics - I've posted two photo's for you all to see.
DD seems to have automatically assumed that the milk bottles being knocked over were either by little mouse herself/magic/a shy friend of the little mouse/doesn't particularly care - she's just thrilled to have her back. I'm not focusing on this to be honest, I'm just so pleased that there is 'magic' in DD's life! In time to come, I'm not sure what to say. Perhaps be truthful - I'll print out this thread since it's come to mean so much to me. The threads of human kindness and decency that reach out are just amazing. Maybe, I'll just let it become another mystery. We'll have to see.
Again, everyone on this thread has touched me in more ways than you can imagine. Words of encouragement, suggestions, post-cards being sent, friends in far places being contacted to ask a favour, shops being called into to find a matching mouse, and Fabia21's complete and utter kindness and generosity, not to mention her daughters thoughtfulness and caring nature, all to a stranger and her daughter over the internet, has moved me so much. I thank you all, humbly, but very sincerely.
Thank you.