Anyone who has ever had a penpal or shared a post office box with someone or has participated in a gift exchange with a stranger will understand my feeling right now.

I arrived home tonight to a box sitting outside my door.

My breath caught. “Could it possibly be?” I thought.

Could it be that my Yarn Aboard box had arrived?

Alas, no.

The box was for Rudi. I’m sure it contains something very Beatley or very Mac-y. I’m certain he’ll be delighted when he walks in the door in ten minutes.

But for me the anticipation remains unabated. Will I never receive my drill or radio box?

How hard it is to be patient …

Update: Rudi just arrived home to explain that the box contained a present for me. How silly of me to be disappointed. What did it contain, you ask. A replacement inaugural season Nationals pennant Rudi won off eBay for me. Mine disappeared from my office one night (it had fallen to the ground once before; maybe someone thought I didn’t want it anymore?). What a great guy!