Dear Reader:

Is there anything better than getting a “surcie” in the mail? If any of you are asking….’What in the world is a surcie you must have moved into the lowcountry area recently… and not lived here for a long time…at least back to the 80’s when the name first appeared.

Surcie is a southern term for an unexpected gift…and just not southern in general…but actually Charlestonese.

Here is Robin Dance’s interpretation of “surcie” from her site: The Wonder of a Woman.

Surcie IS a word, and if you receive one, it will make your day decidedly better.

“Surcie” is a word introduced to me in college by my then new-found best friend Cassie.  Cassie was from the Charleston, S.C. area and I was instantly drawn to her interesting Low Country accent.  In spite of what those who live outside the American South may think, all Southernese is NOT the same, not even within the same state…  

Cassie was great about giving me little, inexpensive “thought gifts”.  A batch of cookies, a box of Kleenex (when I was a broke college student with a cold using sandpapery dorm toilet paper) a can of “good” hairspray because this was the 80’s and big hair was in (Cassie swears I used to roll my hair three times before going out, but I’m sure she was exaggerating….).

… Surcies, come with intention, are full of thoughtfulness, and speak love for others.  They usually don’t cost much (although they can), and they’re the type gift that can make someone’s day!

So…I hope you’ll take the word, make it your own and set out to become a surcie-giver.  I’m pretty sure when you give one, an angel earns its wings.

………………………

Tuesday when I went to check the mail…a package was inside my mailbox from Sis Kinney (not to give her home address away) but this message was written over her name label.

A Surcie…a Surcie!! The best thing about surcies is the surprise factor. No matter how old we get…everyone likes surprises…something unexpected to lighten and brighten up one’s day!

Lookie….lookie at my surcies! In the card Sis sent (another surcie in itself) she said she saw this framed “Ya” picture, along with the “Ya” message (at her church’s fall festival) and immediately thought of me…then the other day she saw it again at the house and mailed it, along with a “Boo” decal and “little c”  card.

(Boo is the name given the Boone Community Center…a beautiful old residence -Jones Home- where the Boone Boo Halloween Extravanga is held each year)

So now I had two “surcies”… and then when I read the outside of the card Sis sent me…three “surcies.”

Sis…thank you for making my day…from now on…you will be “Surcie”Sis…as far as I am concerned! And the added “surcie” bonus…an angel earned its wings!

Yesterday afternoon I headed over to Mandy’s where I will be staying until Saturday…helping Mandy with the baby and Eva Cate since John flew out yesterday for a three day conference. Another wonderful “surcie!” (being able to help out) * If you want to get me during this time…easier to just email me: rebecca_dingle@hotmail.com

Isn’t life joyful when someone or something unexpectedly happens that raises our spirits and makes us want to shout out: “Today is the day that the Lord has made…Let us Rejoice and be Glad in it!”

So until tomorrow…Make someone’s day and send out surcies…filled with love!

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

* Had this cute comment from Judy who taught middle school for three decades and her thoughts on middle school students…love it!

Hi, Becky!
First, thanks so much for your blog!
I taught middle school for 31 years, and loved it and my students dearly, but I wasn’t far into my career when I realized that if they ever colonize the moon, the first thing they’ll do is send all the middle schoolers (along with their teachers) up there to stay until they become humans again!
Love, smiles and blessings,
Judy