Gemotions

The morning sun warmed Elias's face as he retrieved the mail. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the ancient oak in his front yard. He sorted through the bills and flyers, tossing them onto the kitchen counter with a practiced flick of the wrist. Then, he saw it: a single, cream-colored envelope, nestled amongst the junk. No return address. Just a handwritten "Happy Birthday" in elegant cursive. A small smile crept across his lips.

He turned the card over, searching for a name, a clue, anything. Finding nothing, he carefully opened the envelope. Inside, a card depicting a watercolor of wildflowers greeted him. He traced the delicate petals with his fingertip. This was a lovely, generous gesture. It filled him with a quiet joy.

He decided, then and there, that he would make some tea and settle into his favorite armchair by the window, to read the card’s message. This was the sort of morning that deserved to be savored.