Followup: Message for West Seattle ‘mystery gift’ finder

One week ago, we published a story that captured hearts and imaginations around the region, as it was shared by many, and picked up by a few citywide news organizations. A West Seattle teenager named Gabriella wrote that she found a “mystery gift” on a waterfront bench – shown in the photo above; it included a letter from someone saying it was a tribute to the sister she lost. We just noticed that the story picked up a few more comments this week – one from “Lainey,” who says she left the gift. Since few would otherwise see a new comment on a days-old story, we’re publishing Lainey’s message here:

Dear Gabriella,

For the last 10 years, I’ve left a birthday gift and card to honor my sister Karen, who died in 2001. She delighted in giving and receiving presents. I’ve spent hours wondering who finds these gifts and what their reactions might be. For the first time, I now have some answers to those questions.

Gabriella–you are an absolutely amazing “finder of the gift”. Your life-affirming actions of opening & receiving the gift(s) honors my sister Karen–more than anything I could have hoped for or imagined. Thank you for being the source of such a beautiful gift coming back to me and others. Your youthful and wise spirit discerned the power represented in this memorial. Your words inspired and blessed. My story is now part of your story. Your story is part now part of mine.

Please keep looking for and opening the gifts that life presents to us.

With much gratitude,
Lainey

Wendy February 9, 2012 (4:18 pm)

This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing!

RP February 9, 2012 (4:25 pm)

I absoluteley LOVE this story!! Thank You!!

Mandy February 9, 2012 (4:48 pm)

So touched.

FauntleePhil February 9, 2012 (5:18 pm)

This story hit very close to home for me. My sister would have been 59 on 1/31 and she passed away 1 week before Christmas 2000.

A very touching gesture and story. Nice to read something like this in a world full of not so good news. If it generates a few tears, they are definitely the good kind.

teacher/mom February 9, 2012 (5:36 pm)

Hello? Other nine people, are you out there? We’d like more chapters to this wonderful story, please…

munchkin22 February 9, 2012 (5:55 pm)

Lainey, are you the gal who went to WS High in the late 60’s and hung out with Jim? and later knew Dana who later dated me? And you ended up with Mike was it? And you had a cute little daughter at the time and lived on Ferry St?

cj February 9, 2012 (6:29 pm)

What a lovely story. I’m glad you posted the follow up as I mist the first one.

Jasperblu February 9, 2012 (7:13 pm)

I love this update so much! It is now an even more awesome story than before (& it was already awesome). Thank you, you’ve really touched my heart.

Cclarue February 9, 2012 (8:47 pm)

So sweet;)

k February 9, 2012 (10:06 pm)

Thank you so much!
It’s people like Lainey and Gabriella that make the world go round.

Valerie February 10, 2012 (8:08 am)

Wow, my monitor just went blurry.
.
Thank you both for being a part of such a life-affirming story, and thanks WSB for your as-always awesome followup!

Carol Angel February 10, 2012 (1:04 pm)

This story just made my day! After all the sad news all week, this was just a ray of sunshine in my rainy day! Thank you!

Kayleigh February 10, 2012 (3:44 pm)

I love people.

lulu February 10, 2012 (4:31 pm)

texted my sisters and told them i loved them. thank you for the reminder to cherish life and love.

emcat8 February 10, 2012 (11:23 pm)

Lainey, this was really inspiring. My twin sister, also named Karen, died a few years ago and I have never really recovered. My therapist at one point suggested I buy her gifts for our birthday, and even though that’s helped, it’s never really made me feel better about not having her to give something to — we both loved to give gifts, often for no occasion at all. I think I’m going to try something like this — it’s a beautiful tribute and I’m so impressed by what you’ve done.

pshaw February 11, 2012 (11:24 am)

I lost my sister a year ago and am still struggling on many levels. I have been trying to find a way to honor her in a positive way. Lainey is an amazing inspiration to me and a truly beautiful person. Thank you to Gabriella for sharing with the rest of us how this year’s story unfolded. Blessings to both of you!!