Giving and following directions

Giving directions so they are followed accurately does not seem to be an easy task. I am talking about as simple a thing as asking someone to pick up something up for me at the store. Somehow the wrong thing gets brought home. If I want red potatoes, somehow I get Yukon Gold. I love Yukon Gold potatoes, but the recipe called for red potatoes. I want dishwashing detergent, and I get laundry detergent instead. I want baking soda and get baking powder. I just never seem to get my directions right or thorough enough.

To my great relief, I discovered that I am not the only one who has this difficulty. Of course, it's very amusing when it happens to someone else!

My friend recently had surgery. While she is recovering, she has a nineteen-year old helper who comes in every day. This young lady is a delight, so happy and willing to serve.

My friend asked her: "Will you pick up some Christmas stamps for me at the post office? You, know, holiday season stamps?" My friend was thinking of Christmas trees or even a Santa Claus. Anything like the ones below would have been just fine:

And, of course, the girl said she would be happy to pick out Christmas stamps.  Happy to!

"And would you also pick up a beautiful Christmas card that I can send to my daughter? A really beautiful one?"

The girl said, "Of course, I'll find just the right card for your daughter."

There was nothing hard about this request, was there?

I don't have a picture of the Christmas card the girl picked out for my friend to send to her daughter, but it was a card you would give to your sweetheart! It had a candlelight dinner and a young couple kind of misted over. The words weren't bad, something like: "I love you, Sweetheart. Merry Christmas."

The girl was so happy with and proud of her choice. Her whole heart had gone into it. And, of course, my friend accepted the card graciously.

But how could the girl possibly go wrong with the Christmas stamps? There are plenty to choose from!

Again, with her full heart, the girl chose what she thought were the cheeriest Christmas stamps available at the post office. Here they are!