I’ve been meaning to share this for a while now since I received this gift like a month ago, but it’s better to do this late than never, right?
A couple of months ago, my former co-worker and friend Shandana asked me for my address as she wanted to send me a wedding gift from Pakistan. She is originally from there and moved back last year after the last position we both worked at in Boston. Thank God for WhatsApp for enabling us to keep in touch every now and again. When she said she was sending me a gift I was so curious as to what it would be and how well she knew my picky behind.
Late last month, I was presented with a brown package and I was just too eager to open it up. As I reached into the package, out comes this beautiful vest with some of the most GORGEOUS embroidered work that I have ever seen, plus a beautiful handmade card with a textured purple fabric in the front.
The fabric is a nice off-white linen with detailed embroidery of longneck black birds and golden leaves. It left me speechless. It fit like a glove but I was so nervous to try it on because it was just too pretty and I didn’t want to make a wrong move and mess it up. It’s not that the fabric is delicate, but I am just that clumsy.
I looked at the info card attached to the vest and noticed that it was made by Behbud, a women empowerment organization in Pakistan. I visited their site and they are really doing some amazing stuff in Pakistan to provide women with vocational training, income-generation, and much more so check them out for yourself.
The previous work that Shandana and I did together was in social justice, so this gift couldn’t have been more appropriate. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law were so in love with my vest, as well as the women empowerment message behind it that they too are looking into purchasing one for themselves.
Her sweet words in the card sealed the deal and had me reminiscing about all of our times together and funny conversations about life and relationships. We had our rocky moments while working together but as time went on, we grew close and her friendship taught me a lot about myself and how to boldly convey my thoughts. Most importantly, it taught me to appreciate the differences and not let the differences cloud the best that you see in a person.
Thank you Shandana for this special wedding gift, for speaking life into my goals and dreams and for your gift of friendship. I love you, girl!
Now onto finding a good outfit to pair this vest with. Until next time loves!
Love,
Christine
Create & Pray 