Mystery gift arrived in the mail

[keyda81]

So Thursday evening I'm upstairs working on "Flak Bait"(Don't worry I'll start a build thread on it soon).  Hubby comes home from work, rather late, almost 8:30pm.  He says there is a package downstairs for me.  I'm not expecting anything until like Monday.  He describes the box, which is rather long, probably about two feet, but it's on the thinner size, and says aircraft something or other on it.  Ok now I'm really confused.  So I head downstairs to take a look.  I have absolutely no idea what is in this box.  It says aircraft vibes on the outside.  Something I've never heard of.  So I proceed to open the box, which is addressed to me, and find this beautiful metal silhouette of a DC-3/C-47.

I'm completely flabbergasted at this point.  Questioning hubby about it, and he's got no clue, it wasn't him that ordered it.  So I'm trying to think who and why?  Did someone really send me a gift, and for what?!  It's a very thoughtful gift, that's for sure.  If you know me, you know how much I love Whiskey 7. So I promptly hung it on the wall in my living room.

Posted a pic of it on Facebook and didn't get anyone admitting to it.  After thinking about it I realized only one person made sense.  Our A&P mechanic at the museum Craig.  He's been a father figure to me for the last 5 years.  He's the reason I started volunteering at the museum almost 5 years ago.  I emailed him, since he's in Florida for a war bird convention this weekend, but he didn't admit or deny being the one that bought it.  He did text me later in the day and said "been trying to find a to say thanks for being here.."

So at that point I'm brought to tears.  I get emotional whenever someone does something thoughtful for me.  My own family doesn't even just give me random gifts, it has to be my birthday or a holiday.  For some reason I'm blown away by it.  Let's me know I matter to someone.  Maybe it's because I've lost both my parents already, I don't know.  It was kind of funny though, my daughter was there when I got the text and looked at me weird for getting emotional.

[TOWGunner]

What a nice gesture. That's sweet. Beautiful artwork.

[lyle]

That is such a nice gift and acknowledgement of all you do for them. Congratulations!

[keavdog]

Very cool!

[stikpusher]

From the several years of knowing you off of here and other modeling websites, it's quite obvious that you have a deep attachment to Whiskey 7, and that your time spent there is a labor of love. Obviously somebody else there noticed that as well and appreciates all that you have contributed to the group's efforts there.

[406 Silverado]

Now THATS really something. It’s really cool when we get acts of kindness out of the blue. To me, gifts like that take on a whole new meaning because there’s not a special day for the gift……just that you are truly appreciated. Very cool Keyda.

[brandonk]

Okay, WOW. That is super cool. It looks amazing with your collection. Congrats!!

[Steve Zuleski]

Well, it sounds to me like someone knew you deserved it and that is always a great surprise when that happens and ya didn't see it coming. Awesome, pretty cool gift!

[jeaton01]

A thoughtful gift, what a nice guy.

[kyledehart5]

Super cool. Sounds like a great guy. That’s a really neat piece of artwork too. Thank you for sharing

[Tojo72]

Pretty cool nice decoration.

[TJ]

Your passion for W7 is known by most of us. Your friend obviously sees that too. Great gift

[keyda81]

Feb 10, 2024 11:13:55 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Now THATS really something. It’s really cool when we get acts of kindness out of the blue. To me, gifts like that take on a whole new meaning because there’s not a special day for the gift……just that you are truly appreciated. Very cool Keyda.

Exactly!  I'll cherish it forever.  I've got other little trinkets that Craig has given to me, but they were just things that were around the hangar.  Like one of Whiskey 7's old spark plugs that I made a key chain with.  I also have a piece of a cooling fin that broke off one of her cylinders, used my cricut to make masks, and it now hangs from the rear view in my truck.

Along with one of her old cockpit windows that I made into a standing picture frame.

Lots of Whiskey 7 trinkets.

[keyda81]

Feb 10, 2024 20:16:01 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Super cool. Sounds like a great guy. That’s a really neat piece of artwork too. Thank you for sharing

He really is.  He's a great teacher.  The way he explains things, he never makes you feel dumb, and he literally loves getting questions.  One of the most patient people I've ever met. 

[deafpanzer]

Those are pretty cool!!! Thanks for sharing... it has given me some ideas what to do with my man cave one day!

[dodgy]

What a beautiful gesture. Love what you've done with the artifacts too, you're obviously a very talented person.

[keyda81]

I've been looking at the wall a lot more, admiring my gift, and was annoyed with my taped picture. So I got a frame for it, and decided it still needed something else. The F-111 was out of place, so it got relocated, I put together a picture collage of some of my favorite pics of Whiskey 7, and added a sign(with a slight modification)that I picked up at Hobby Lobby. I think it looks much better now.

[Golikell]

That is really an awesome gift and seeing your reaction couldn't have given to a better person than you. Gestures like this makes life worth living.