The Thoughtful Present
Last week I mentioned to my neighbour (Joey) that I’d been looking for an old tractor disc so I could convert it into a bird bath. He said he’d search around his shed and let me know.
Much to my surprise he arrived on Thursday afternoon and presented me with a tractor disc he had welded to some old iron legs – and not only that, he’d found some chain left over from the horse and cart days that he attached to a piece of wood he chiselled out so I could place bird seed underneath!
I often talk about thoughtful presents and have been asked a few times what this actually means. The thoughtful present is precious because of the personal value, the care and attention that’s gone into it, the symbolic meaning, and the practicality.
I’ve known Joey and his mother for about 30 years. He now runs the family farm as well as working another job and caring for his mother in her old age. I often visit her, help out where I can and take her to lunch and shopping. He tells me how much he appreciates this, but it’s no trouble at all – I know he’s under a lot of pressure and I love his mother very much. I believe that everyone deserves dignity, respect and assistance as they age and can no longer do the things they were once able to do with ease.
I love my new bird bath and can’t wait to put it to the test!
Let me know what you think of it
and if you have ever received a thoughtful present.
***Have a great week***
Dianne Gray author 
It’s a special gift and thoughtful because Joey created something he knew you would love. I think the birds will love it too and I’m looking forward to seeing photos of them having fun.
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I’m going to put seed in it today and see how they go – I’ll have my camera loaded! Can’t wait xxx
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What an AWESOME & THOUGHTFUL gift . . . for a very WORTHY recipient! That is the BEST bird feeder EVA! And so great that you can take some of the weight off of Joey’s shoulders by spending time with his mom ~ especially since you enjoy her company. A WIN x 3!
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Thanks Nancy 🙂 it is an AWESOME & THOUGHTFUL gift xxx I knew you’d really get the meaning of it and that there are ‘wins’ all round 🙂
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I want one! What a fabulous gift. I’ll look forward to photos of future visitors.
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It’ll look great with little birds all over it and I can’t wait to get those pictures Jill. I think Joey has uncovered a latent talent!
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Great birdbath, Joey not only thinking of you but the birdies as well. I love that he didn’t just give you the disc but came up with a value-added bespoke item! It’s really lovely that you spend time with Joey’s mum, I think family is about who we care for not just who we’re related to.
When I look around my house the best gifts I’ve received are often second-hand, repurposed and given for no reason. But not necessarily… I think the best gifts you know when you see them and who would love them.
For my 40th -a decade or so ago- Dad gave me a gardening book, “Dig”… Although I was living in an inner-city studio apartment at the time, I was thrilled. He must have known something I didn’t ☺
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You’re very much like me, Dale. We love the rustic and unusual and recycling is far more exciting than ‘buying new’ 🙂 I love the sound of the book “Dig” – what a lovely present from your dad xxx
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Wonderful gift. He obviously put a lot of thought into making it for you. That kind of consideration is all too rare these days.
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You’re exactly right, Fen – and I think the making of this birdbath has added the spark of creativity to his life and there’s no stopping him now! 🙂
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Love the rustic look to it! Bet the birds will too. 🙂 Lovely thoughtful gift.
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I put it down on the front lawn yesterday, Carrie, and it’s already receiving attention from my feathered friends 🙂
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That is wonderful. I think even the birds will know this is a step up from any other bird bath.
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Haaaa – yes Jacqui, they will know it’s made with a lot of love and thoughtfulness. It’s got a nice ‘feeling’ to it. I’ve put seed in the tray and water in the top and they’re keeping a very close eye on it 🙂
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What a thoughtful man. His present is so you! His mother brought him up right. 🙂
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Oh yes, Jackie, you got that spot on – they’re such lovely people 🙂
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I love it! And I love what you say about dignity. When we accord other people the dignity they deserve we show our own dignity. May your tribe increase!
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Thank you Allen! Such beautiful thoughts xxx
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What a super story, Dianne! I think you have an awesome new bird bath, and I guarantee there won’t be another one like it in Australia (or the USA, either!).
You are a good person to help your neighbor with his mother. I couldn’t agree more about the importance of taking care of our aging family members and friends.
Now, that, by the way, is a thoughtful present.
Much love to you and yours…
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Thanks Sheila xxx I just clicked your link to find a blog I haven’t seen before – so I “followed”. Very excited now because I haven’t received any email notifications from the other blog for a while. How wonderful I found you again 🙂
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I love the gift which has beauty and i also perfect for the job. As for helping look after Joey’s mother……I think you’re awesome.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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You’re wonderful David – and thank you so much for the tweet xxx Huge Hugs back to you xxx
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love it!
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Yes – it’s perfect 🙂 xxx
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That is a really thoughtful present, unique and useful.
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I absolutely love it, Andrea – what a lovely gift 🙂
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We don’t see such kindness these days and it’s sad. Kindness from Joey and yourself! A beautiful piece of art and functional
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It really is a piece of art, Dannie. After he made it he said he wants to make other things because it gave him such a great feeling. I told him he must have a muse now and the creativity will flow!
Thank you so much for the tweet xxxx
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I love the birdbath. Kindness makes living a gift.
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Ahhhh – so true, Char. To me this piece is full of life xxxx
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It’s brilliant – I want one! Yes, I’ve had the occasional thoughtful present given to me and they’re usually something very simple and very personal. 🙂
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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I’m so glad you like it, Susan – I was very touched 🙂 xxxx
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What a lovely gift, Dianne! I think that kindness is often repaid and it’s great that he could find time and opportunity to do so. 🙂 🙂 Wishing you a happy Easter!
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Thank you so much, Jo. Someone was delivering sand to my parents’ in law next door last week and drove onto my front lawn a little too close to my birdbath. I’m sure the truck driver thought he’d met a mad woman when I told him to steer away from it! Oh dear, I really love it and don’t want it damaged 😀 It’s been an interesting and busy Easter with my father-in-law taken to hospital yesterday with suspected gall stones. I’m sure he’ll be okay, but it’s amazing how much there is to do when you’re caring for aging relatives. There’s never a dull moment 😉
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All you want for Easter is a little peace and quiet, Dianne. If only! 🙂 🙂 Are you writing at the moment? Wishing you a blessed Easter.
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I’m not writing at the moment – but I wish I was! I had my hubby’s aunt come to stay last week and she’s a retired cop. She started talking about her work in the force and I asked he if I could use some of her stories for a book and she was only too happy to share them with me. Now I just have to put my head down and write about a female cop (which is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time!) 🙂
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The spark of invention! Off you go xx
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Amazing gift, Dianne. What a great idea! Thoughtful gifts are truly the best. That’s so kind of you to spend time with his mom. Kindness brings out the goodness in this world. xoxo
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Thank you, Amy – I hope you’re having a lovely Easter my dear friend xxx
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I hope you’re having a lovely one too! xoxo
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That gift from Joey brought tears to my eyes. Hearing about your connection with him, what his life is like now as he takes care of the farm and his mom, and yet how he took the time to ‘gift’ you with something so original and extremely thoughtful. W O W. This may be the best one I’ve ever heard of. (I also think it’s so cool and would love one on my own backyard!). Gifts that take time and thought are the best. However, I must say I got all gushy when my son-in-law sent me a huge potted gorgeous hydrangea for mother’s day last year ….and a dozen red roses for Valentine’s Day the year before. He got a lot of points for those. 🙂
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Oh what lovely presents from your son-in-law – he’s a keeper! 🙂 xxx
I’m so glad you like the birdbath, I was over the moon and will cherish this kind thought for a long time xxx
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Sometime you’ll have to show us on your blog a photo of the birdbath filled with happy lapping birds. 🤗
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Once it stops raining I’ll have the camera set up and I’ll be snapping! 😀
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Sending some sunshine out your way…!!
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That is incredibly sweet. I love it, and I’ll bet Joey loved making it for you. I’m sure he feels it’s some small reparation for the help you give with his mother. No doubt his mother loves you, too. I’m so grateful that you’re there to help her and show her so much respect. All around, this is a lovely post! Thank you for sharing!
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That is a very thoughtful gift! And so clever too. I love it!
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It’s going really well, Kate. It’s been raining a lot but the seed is still dry underneath – what a brilliant design! 🙂
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Hi Dianne, Sorry I’ve been away so long from your blog.This is such a sweet interchange between you and your friend and his mother. It says so much about your character, which I have long suspected is loving, genuine, and generous. This looks like a lovely gift. 🙂 Have a beautiful week.
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Thank you so much, Marsha – I’ve also been absent from blogs lately because things have been crazy around here. Hopefully I’ll be back on board soon xxx
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Life happens. The good news is that the true friends stay in touch, don’t you think? You always have such interesting things happen, and you make them so fun. 🙂 You could make a snake bite sound like something we should all experience! 🙂
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You are both so creative! I love that you thought of doing this and that your friend had all these parts available. I’m currently training my puppy not to chase the birds out of our birdbath, haha!
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Oh that’s not going to be easy, Letizia – puppies love chasing birds because they want to play with them! I’m so glad you like the birdbath 🙂
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What a lovely present, asking for one thing and then getting that AND then some – a beautiful birdbath ‘deluxe’ (‘coz it comes with a feeder too). Are you winged friends enjoying it? I love it when a casually tossed out request comes back. I mentioned to a my house mate a month or so ago that I like crafting with old colourful cardboard tea boxes. She’s away this weekend, but when I came home she’d left a couple folded in my kitchen cupboard. We only spoke about it once…but she remembered. It took a while to drink all the tea 🙂 Blessings, Harula xxx
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That’s lovely, Harula. When people take note of what you say and remember it they are true friends! 🙂 Hugs to you my dear one xxxxx
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Dianne how gorgeous is that, I would put that in my garden in an instant, what a special friend you have. My friend recently dropped off two birds made out of rusted steal for my garden. This friend knows me so well and knew I would love these simple bird sculptures she said they were nothing much because she picked them up from the tip. I love recycled gifts and the fact she thought of me when she saw these birds.
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That’s lovely, Kath. I’d love to see those steel birds – it’s so nice when someone sees something and thinks of you! 🙂
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