So Hip Hippo

A couple of months ago, I visited one of my favorite weblogs, Old School Acres, to see what ingenious little creatures were shaping up there. She had just created a pig with wings that looked VERY much like a hippo that lived at my Grandmother's house when I was growing up. Hippo had always been my favorite toy at Grandma's - the one I took out of the "animal box" and slept with on every visit. Hippo was velvety and gray, with little, round felt ears and little black eyes. He was big, about 14" tall, and hard like a pound of flour. But I loved Hippo. His little arms and legs were naught but round cylinders that stuck out from his body. His face was big and hippo-like.

When I saw the pig on Old School Acres, I immediately went wanderlust for Hippo. I hadn't seen him in years, and now that my Grandmother's house belongs to my aunt and her own grandchildren, I don't visit much at all. It was so nice to be reminded of him; like a whooooosh of oh-my-old-friend kind of longing came over me. I wrote to Old School Acres and thanked her for the memories.

About a week later I was sitting at work and a small box arrived for me. I opened it and was completely surprised to find this inside:




There was a note attached: "I know it's not your Grandma's hippo but maybe he can fill in until Hippo comes home to you."
Completely surprised. Yes, I cried. I couldn't believe it. It's a smaller version of Hippo, made just for me by Old School Acres.
It's so heartwarming to know that there are still people out there that do things for others just because. Just because they can. Just because they like to. Just to be nice. I love this hippo. He lives on the top on my bedside table - not in the living room where I'd have to share. He's my reminder of childhood lazy days at the lake and Grandma in the kitchen with her apron on making blueberry jam with her own fresh blueberries. He reminds me that there are still people out there who do things for strangers just because, and that I can too.

I visit Old School Acres just about every day. There are always beautiful handmade things there to see, and things to buy in her Etsy store too, as gifts or just because. I highly recommend you take a visit.