My world

So there is this map... and its like really big. I saw it the first time I went to Ikea and I have kinda coveted it since. Every titile I go I make sure I drag who ever is with me to the art section to look at the marvelous map. If you have ever been to Ikea with me, then you know what I am talking about! I stand in front of it and dream. With my head tilted slightly sideways, I dream of where I would put it in my house someday. How I would teach my kids the world with it. I just soak it in and take in the beauty of it. Then, I sigh and I wander away knowing I will never buy it.

At Christmas the price of the map dropped! I was pretty stoked ... but there was still no way I could ever justify it. I remember telling people that the price dropped and maybe I should just buy it. But I did not. Isn't that what Ikea, or most stores are anyways? Just a bigger version of what we want but will never have?

Well, you see I just had this birthday. It was my 22 and besides the fact that I feel now very old and mature and expect to be treated better by other adults .... I didn't expect anything. Here is the other things you must know ... I have these really good friends.

Friday afternoon I was working at the desk, and from the doors on both sides of me girls started pouring in with baloons singing happy birthday! I don't know how many were there, at least 25. I was told later that I had a pretty upset face, if you were one of the girls there sining to me and perhaps thought this, please know I was not upset! I was surprised and yes, a bit angry that I had not figured it out. But I WAS suprised and LOVED IT! Then, these girls gave me my present. A little map, and on it were country flags with different peoples names on it. "We all bought you a country!" Um.... cool I thought. Then, through the double doors it came. This long long cardboard box wrapped all happy birthday style. As I opened it I saw that it was from Ikea, then on the end of the box it had a picture of the map. "MY MAP! YOU GUYS GOT ME MY MAP!" I was so taken away. You see, my friends, 36 of them to be exact all "purchased" a country and went in together to get me my map. Many of the countries were specific to places that people have been or lived in or are going to, so it made it even more personal.

Its still in its box, hidden away in the basement. It is being saved. Saved for my house that I will hopefully live in this summer and for a long time thereafter. I have the small map on my wall and am daily reminded of the love I am surrounded by. I was just this girl with a dream of owning a silly map. And my friends, they went in together to make one of my dreams come true. Now I dont have to tilt my head and wonder and sigh. I own the map. Its mine. Someday I will teach my kids about the world... and about the people who loved me enough to give it to me. If youw were one of those people, Thank you. Thank you for givng me the world.