osodecanela | A generously thoughtful gift......

The first time I met this particular gentleman, he surprised the daylights out of me. From across the room, as I was beginning to take his medical history, his eyes alit on the breast pocket of my scrub shirt.

"Ah, you collect Esterbrooks!"

Stopped me dead in my tracks.

"Um, yes. I collect antique pens," I stammered. I was blown away. All he saw was the very tip of each pen's cap, plus their clips on the outside of my pocket. I indeed had two antique Esterbrooks in my pocket. "I take it you're a fellow pen geek," I continued as I handed him my two pens.

He nodded. "A transitional J model, " he mused. "I always did like the shades of green in these. Esterbrook had a great sense of design, while producing such a utilitarian object."

I was smitten. A fellow pen geek. We schmoozed for a bit and then I got back to work. One in general does not come to the doctor to gab about pens. He's a delightful man and not just because of his love of pens and ink.

Today there was a bag left at the front desk for me. He had had an appointment, but time was tight for him and I was once again behind in my schedule, so he's rescheduled for next Monday. I was once again blown away.

A pen display case! I've been wanting one of these forever! This was just what I wanted; a place to display them, where I still have easy access so I can actually use them.

So very thoughtful. I cannot wait to thank him in person!

(By the way, the three pens in the front all the way to the right, as well as the green one 3rd from the left are all Esties.)