My local postmen (or women; gender equality *heel click*) have an amazing ability to lose my parcels, not tell me my parcels have arrived, or sit on my parcels. This is supremely frustrating, to say the least.
Yet sometimes, my post office’s incompetence creates moments so wonderful that it’s as if the universe planned everything just to give me strength when I need it most.
How else could you explain the fact that Lexi’s original parcel for me, sent after I wrote about giving up my PhD, disappeared into the never-never so that the replacement parcel could arrive months later, just in time to be opened on the morning of my grandmother’s funeral?
Why else would circumstances have conspired to ensure that, out of the blue, I received with the above magnificent treats the below handwritten words that made me fall silent while sitting on my knees on the floor, because just the night before I’d started crying in the middle of a restaurant out of fear I do the very opposite to Lexi’s message?
What else could be the reason behind Lexi slipping into her parcel an utterly unexpected home-made mix CD, to be played for the first time as my brother and I drove to the funeral, where I would be singing Let It Be while he accompanied on guitar?
Oh Lexi. You have no idea how much giggling to “Who Put the Benzedrine in Mrs Murphy’s Ovaltine” helped calm me, just a little, on that drive.
But you know what? There is a simple, non-fate reason for all of this. It’s the same reason that Heidi – with me completely unaware until she asked for my address – carefully collected a stash of perfect American treats for me while on her recent overseas adventures.
It’s the reason that, one grey cold night, I opened up the accompanying card to find true friendship shown through Heidi’s ability to cheer me on whilst also calling me out for being a smart-aleck (one “f”, lady! Jeez! *wink*).
It’s the reason that Vaala, over in New Zealand, stopped for hot chocolate at a cafe and decided to buy me treats from the same place, but couldn’t at the time so returned the next weekend in order to send me chocolate dates and truffles. It’s the reason that Conor, while on a mission to buy her Dad’s birthday present, saw chocolate-covered sunflower seeds, remembered me raving about them, and immediately put some in the post.
It’s the reason that so many of you have sent me chocolate over my past almost-two years of blogging, chocolate that I either have or will be reviewing soon in your honour.
It’s the reason that you, and this blog, often make my eyes fill with tears because I’m utterly overwhelmed and honoured. It’s the reason you make me feel like the below (yes, this photo is from a year ago).
The reason is this:
You who read this are amazing-beyond-words. You who comment, you who read silently, you who send gifts and support, you who laugh and you to whom I send hugs. You are proof positive that our world is a gorgeous place and is absolutely worth holding onto, even in the splintering times. I cherish you, I’m grateful to you, and I thank you.
From the bottom of my heart.
P.S. In case some of you are finding this too gushy, I shall admit to you that, today, I went to the fridge and absentmindedly ate a spoonful of vegemite instead of peanut butter.
And then I did it again on purpose, to see whether it was as puckering an experience when I was expecting it as it was when I wasn’t.
It was.
Hannah out.
{ 81 comments… read them below or add one }
Lucky you, you certainly deserve it, referring to the gifts, not mistakenly eating vegemite:) Halloween treats came a little late, or Christmas treats came early, you decide which version!
Aw, thank you! Considering we don’t celebrate Halloween in Australia, I’ll have to go with early Christmas
Gah! Just reading about the vegemite has me puckering …
Very curious about the chocolate coated sunflower seeds – where do you find such things?
Well, I found mine in Trader Joe’s in America, and Conor found these in some sort of magical pie shop in WA!
<3 <3 <3
Oh you lovely thing. You certainly deserve such things at the best of times, and doubly so at the worst. I'm so glad the hat trick of parcels were so timely.
I do also wish however that the postman could be more reliable. My mail redirection keeps failing and I'm really hoping someone hasn't posted me a cheque for millions of dollars to my old address. I should have kept a secret key for my old mailbox just in case, sneaking over there in the cover of darkness to check for cheques.
If anyone reading this has sent me a generous cheque and/or the deeds to a house, please cancel it and send it to my new address. Thank you.
P.S. oxoxox
Oh my gosh, so *that’s* why you haven’t thanked me for the $800,000 cheque I sent your way the other month? Here I was thinking that you’d just already spent it all on frozen chocolate bananas and a summer home and couldn’t face up to admitting this
You honestly have no idea how my emotions all swirled and I froze in place twice as a result of your parcel – first, when it arrived, and second, when I opened it up and read the letter. My mum and I had just been talking about you the day before, and then this proof that you’d also thought of me… see, my heart is swirling even now! <3 x a million.
GENDER EQUALITY. YES!
(and you deserve every gram of chocolate that gets sent your way)
I thought you might like that
And thank you 
Oh how absolutely lovely
There really is just something so oddly wonderful about the internet, even if we only connect through electronics, there’s so much more that is heart felt. Love lives through the internet! 
And yeeek! I couldn’t imagine stomaching a spoonful of vegemite!! :s
Oh, absolutely! And I’ve never met a blog-friend in real life where it hasn’t also translated into an incredible in-person friendship too. Hurrah for the internets!
Bahaha! Vegemite can totally be my party trick now
You reap what you sew woman! You do bring sparkly sunshine into our lives, you just have to start believing it. So glad you received these wonderful gifts which are full of people’s thoughts of you (worth so much more than even the fabulous treats) at a time that made all the difference. Still cackling about the Vegemite! The Universe knows…
Oh, I absolutely agree; it ‘s the thought behind such gifts that makes me feel overwhelmed. The idea that someone takes the time to think of me and be so incredibly kind, for no other reason than to bring me happiness? It’s… amazing. And yes, hard for me to believe sometimes, but I’ll try to do as you say, my wonderful friend!
Bloody vegemite, though. Hmph.
SOW, even!
Teehee, I like the idea of our lives being embroidered together though
D’you like how I start out with something sweet and sad, then BAM! A bouncy song about uppers stirred into warm milk. YES! Hope you liked the rest of it, too.xx
PS Vegemite needs toast, or weetbix cut in half, length-ways. And butter.
It’s all, all magnificent, Lexi! And you earned super huge amazing points with my brother too, who is the most discerning music afficionado in my life and was very impressed with your taste. Bravo! And thank you *heart*
P.S. You had a vegemite-and-butter-weetbix sandwich childhood too? Huzzah!
Haha ending on that vegemite note, fantastic. I once had a crazy, out of the blue, mind-numbing leg cramp & was eating vegemite by the spoonful to try and get some salt into my system. Didn’t work. But I kind of liked it. Not the same as PB, I agree, but vegemite by the spoonful is totally good in my world.
Loved the gushy post – you’re such a great person to give presents to, you SO appreciate them! So pleased to have made you smile, me lady. Your friendship means just as much to me
Heidi xo
Ack, leg cramps! They’re the *worst*, and I get them so often. Calves and feet for me! I did some research and came up with sodium, potassium, magnesium, and dehydration as the possible culprits… so perhaps you’re onto something, and the vegemite mistake was my subconscious trying to get my vitamins and minerals back in line
Heidi, I’m so grateful that this gushy post conveyed even a skerrick of how muchmuchmuch your friendship and kindness meant and means. The only problem is that, because your friendship is so intertwined with this parcel for me, I’m having a hard time eating any of it!
P.S. I didn’t mention the card itself! *So* gorgeous and I’m so honoured that you gave it to me! xo
oh absolutely, I thought you’d like it
don’t worry about eating my friendship :O there’s plenty more where that came from! hehe xo
Teehee! Next time, though, surely we’ll be collecting such treats in America together?
xo
There have been so many fears about technology destroying community, but I think it just creates different one. Your blog is a gorgeous ray of sunshine so it is only fair that the sun shines back at you.
Lisa, thank you for this beautiful comment
And yes, I agree with you completely. The friendships I’ve gained through technology have made my life so much richer and brighter!
You’ve brought so much joy to people through your blog and writing! Lots of love all around in this place, Hannah. Keep it up, yay!
*hugs* Thank you Winston! That means so very much. Now you keep celebrating the end of your exam period, you hear? Have a cake on my behalf
Woohoo! Love to see the Justin’s Nut Butter included in your parcel. That makes me a happy camper
Also Persian Fair Floss Chocolate? I can’t wait to hear how it is.
Those are some fun gifts to put a perk in your step xx
And you, my dear, are one of the people whose chocolates I *will* be reviewing soon! I can’t believe you’re already back in America. I’m very naughty sometimes
I’m so excited about the fairy floss! The ingredients list includes chocolate *and* sesame! 
xo
Aww how sweet! You deserve to be showered with chocolate!
And you, my Spay Lady, are a beautiful showerer
This post makes me smile, smile, smile, smile
I needed to read this today like you needed to open that parcel on the morning of your grandmother’s funeral (and I am so happy that the parcel arrived for you then). The reason it makes me smile is that you do all of those things (be amazing and give proof that the world is an amazing place, in case you were confused 
), and if sometimes the same returns for you – well, that is perfect indeed and the world is certainly a better and brighter place.
(PS. I taste compared vegemite and promite and marmite recently and so understand your puckering experience! For some reason I thought comparing with a spoon and not a cracker would be sensible. It wasn’t.)
Oh, Kari! How is it that in a post where I was thanking you and others, I’m receiving such beautiful comments instead? You’re meant to be replying with “Yep, I’m awesome. Believe it.”
I’m incredibly touched by your comment and by the very fact that this happiness-gushy post of mine brought a sparkle into your day. And always, Kari, thank you. Thank you for helping me hold onto the courage to be me
xo
P.S. I completely understand the logic of your spoon choice. You wanted to test the pure flavours, so crackers would be silly! However… poor Kari’s taste buds
This reminds me how much I need to get going on our arranged exchange, although I’ve been a bit too lacking in funds to make internet purchases. However, it’s all good now, so once I get back home I’ll get going on that. Just in time for your hot summer sun to destroy chocolate left at your point of contact:)
It’s funny how much you have become a part of my non-internet life, even though you don’t know it. I bring up topics I read about here, or just launch into conversations based around chocolate you’ve reviewed or shenanigans you’ve shenaniganed. I love it.
I too want to know more about that fairy floss choc!
*laughs* We are getting into that terrible opposite-hemisphere-dangerous-weather territory! Please know that whenever our exchange happens, it’ll be a glorious melty-squooshy-or-not thing. Heidi has just sold her business, though, so I’ll have to go and try to build a relationship with the new Curious Chocolatier now to buy your chocolates! Or I could just get them from a store like a normal person
Oh my golly, oh my golly gosh. Really and truly? Oh Emma, you make my heart sing! You, too, are a part of my daily life, not least through your integral part in my cartwheel shenaniganising and Heartland watching
Okay! I’ll definitely review the fairy floss one when I try it then
Love this! You deserve all the loveliness that comes your way
Oh, thank you!! It’s always nerve-wracking posting a gushy-from-the-heart post like this. Thank you for being so supportive!
You gorgeous and lucky girl! If you ever complain about being single again, I’ll remind you of this post! See how much you are loved!!! :p
That was meant to be a big smile, not sticking my tongue out at you! xxxx
Oh, Margaret! Okay, I’ll rely on you to bring the affectionate finger-waggling if I start moping
Dear heavens, you’re going to get such a big hug when we eventually meet 
P.S. I think the emoticon works either way
What a terrific friend.
However – and I mean this as your friend in blogland too – do NOT eat the coconut M&Ms – they are ‘flavoured’ and will taste exactly like you’d expect some cheap chemical concoction to taste. Despite this, I remain in awe of your friend’s kindness.
*laughs* I have this strange feeling that what you describe as “cheap chemical concoction” is going to mean “suntan lotion” to me… and I’m officially worried
I also have *gasp* orange chocolate that I might try to eat sometime soon, so I fear for myself, Kath! I fear!
P.S. You’re my friend in everyland
xo
Aww, how sweet. And you know… the reason is you are a wonderful person!
No no no, the reason is YOU ALL are wonderful people!
x
So many good treats – people are so sweet
Who doesn’t celebrate Halloween? I got a Mintie when I went across the road for yoga on Monday night … they mistook me for a trick-or-treater, then saw my yoga mat, but not before I got my Mintie! True story … more or less.
Ooowah, I think your nose just grew!
But Minties, really?! They’re the dud candy! It’s gotta be Fantails, all the way!
These are so nice goodies that you received! Must be so exciting to open those packages!
So so so exciting!
Postal “service” (service??) really sucks. Two of the packages I’ve sent to blogging friends never arrived.
I’m very happy you got that parcel in the end. It’s so lovely, and it seems that it came just in time.
Oh lovely, I’m so sorry about that but glad I’m not alone! I think I’m up to four parcels that have never arrived so far
But yours came, lalalala! 
I love this post – and that last sentence mad me laugh out loud, brilliant!
It must be lovely to know all those people were thinking of you; almost more than what they sent
That truly is the part that means the most! As delicious as the goodies are, what truly makes my heart soar are the throughts behind
I never cease to be amazed at the kindness and generosity of some people. Simple acts like this can do wonders. And what an incredible care package at that!
Me too, me too
I’m so grateful for the wonderful people in my life, and this world!
We love you too
Such a sweet gesture from a friend. I’m off to read your post about giving up your PhD… this is something I’ve been struggling with for a while (in the application phase).
AW! *blushes* Thank you
And oooh, I’ll have to go check that post soon too myself then 
Just realise that your writing brings as much joy to your readers as the stuff that comes back to you. You have only proven to people that give first, then you shall receive! You deserve it Hannah!
Okay, feeling a bit teary again now! Thank you so much for your kindness and support
what a lovely post – you deserve a little happiness as things seem to have been tough for you lately – and you bring so much light and laughter to the the blogosphere!
As for the spoonful of vegemite, we eat promite in my house but if sylvia was allowed I think she would eat it by the spoonful (just to continue the similarities between the two of you)
Teehee, I’m sure Sylvia will be far too clever to have as many nincompoop moments as me growing up
Thank you so much for your kindness and support, Johanna. It means a lot. x
OH Jeaz….. you had me in stitches with your spoonful of vegemite woman. How you managed that I just don’t know…..
Love your gushy blog post today sweets, you brighten my days with your constant smiles, your virtual hugs …….. I know right…. We live in the same freakin city and I come TO YOUR WORKPLACE….. Still virtual…. your positive words of wisdom via the blog, email, text or FB.
Sista, you are a rock star and deserve truck loads of goodies to be delivered each day.
PS: You keep your vegemite in the fridge? Is that Australian mate??? I think it lives in the cupboard.
BECAUSE I AM VERY VERY CLEVER, THAT’S HOW.
Everything you say goes right back at you too, my dear! Aren’t you maybe coming into work today? Don’t you dare come between 3 and 4 when I’ll be stuck in a teleconference with my door closed!!
Seriously can’t believe I wasn’t here when you came last…
Hmm. You’re probably right, but I tend to keep everything in the fridge that I can, out of fear of mice!
Amen to that Girlfriend!!!! You are indeed, very clever.
*Vegemite is black, Peanut Butter is tan brown…. Completely different….. I’m just sayin’!
I’m arriving at your office, 4pm today. You will be done with your meeting, no excuses can possibly be made now, it’s official, the stars and universe, and all the water on the planet and some other super huge things are opening their arms and welcoming our reuniting. Lemon & Ginger tea in a super size cup please….
Mice don’t know how to open a jar, and I doubt they’d dig the Vegemite. Totes get it out of the fridge and put it in the cupboard. It’s the Aussie way.
I may not have delivered you the tea, but BY GOLLY wasn’t that hug that almost toppled you over so much better?!
So exciting to see you there lady!! I hope we didn’t work you too hard 
aaaaw! You SO deserve to be showered with choccie goodness
Though, I might need to send you a basket of fruit and veg after all those sweets! Actually, who am I kidding….. 
Adrian, thank you! *hugs* I believe your thinking is perfect! A basket of toffee apples, chocolate-coated bananas, and sour gummy cherries, right?
Awww, your post made me a little teary! I think it’s testament to your beautiful character that people send you wonderful gifts out of the blue! You are one lucky, special girl
P.S. Hope the funeral went ok *hugs*
Thank you April! I really, really am so incredibly lucky to have such wonderful people, including you, in my life. *hugs*
P.S. Thank you, it was a beautiful service xo
Ooh, I’m intrigued by that Voses Creole chocolate.
What lovely friends you have!
Teehee, I’ve already eaten that one, but I think I have a larger bar of it elsewhere in my stash that I’ll review properly
–<–@
Aw!! I’ve never seen that before! Thank you
Aw, I’m really sorry to hear about your grandmother – such sad news. But I’m glad that you have built up such a strong network of friends to send you chocolate and happy thoughts. It is pretty clear evidence of how wonderful you are, to have strangers from around the world thinking of you and your love of chocolate!
Thank you Theresa! And you know what? You were one of the very first to display your utter incredibleness and beyond-words friendship by sending me those delicious peanut butter chocolate cookies when I was undergoing the Housesitting of Doom. I’ll never forget that xoxo
AWWWW feeling the lurve!
And now, due to my brain’s ability to make the most tenuous musicals connections, I have The Lion King’s Can You Feel The Love Tonight in my head.
I just want to pipe up here and say that even though we don’t converse (aside from some wonderfully inuendo-ful banner about certain tasty balls ;p) as someone who reads your blog you do have a talent for lighting up people’s day and making me smile and I’m soooo glad you’re getting recognition and treats in return for what you give your readers. I am now considering sending you some UK Marmite now if your developing a yeast-extract-by-the-spoonful habit (by the way have you ever tried it *with* peanut butter on toast? mmmm)
xxxx
I meant “you’re”
Damn autocorrect I meant 1. Banter and 2. You’re
Oh Hannah, thank you for this beautiful and heart-soaring comment! I truly can’t explain how much it means to think that I bring even the tiniest skerrick of happiness to anyone’s day through this blog o’ mine
And oh, the joy of connecting with fellow innuendo masters across the globe! (P.S. My mind totally read that as “banter” anyway; clearly we’re on the same wavelength despite what autocorrect tries to do to us 
)
*laughs* I was actually just considering trying peanut butter and vegemite on toast together! I think I wrote that in a comment on another post recently, maybe the smoothie one? I’m not sure.
Ooooh…. I’m not sure how I feel about this Marmite business! You see, I’ve always been pretty determined to always advocate for the superiority of Vegemite…
I do like vegemite but on a kraft and unopened boycott I’m now on a brand called Meridian’s yeast extract. I think the difference is Australians are sweeter than Brits cos I find Vegemite sweet and Marmite much saltier and savoury-er
X
I do like vegemite but on a kraft and unilever boycott I’m now on a brand called Meridian’s yeast extract. I think the difference is Australians are sweeter than Brits cos I find Vegemite sweet and Marmite much saltier and savoury-er
X
Oh yes, Australians definitely are sweeter than Brits in my opinion, with you as the exception of course
Teehee! As for the yeast spreads… how funny! I always thought that Marmite was the sweet one (but I haven’t tasted it, of course).
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