Unwanted Gifts, Cards, and Letters

Unopened envelope and package on a desk, representing boundaries and unwanted outreach

Gifts, cards, and letters can communicate acknowledgment, respect, appreciation, connectedness, love, humor, mourning, intimacy, support…what else?

After a confusing, painful relationship, a woman unexpectedly receives flowers sent to her office. They look good. They smell good. Her co-workers compliment her on the beautiful flowers. The note is simple and poignant: 1 Corinthians 13, the verse that had meant a lot to them. Even the co-workers received gifts of cakes and sweets. How lavish and wonderful the sender must be!

She had not told her co-workers about what she had gone through.

And she had told him not to contact her.

Are these gifts delightful? Are they intended to be? Does she experience delight in them? What are other ways the sender could communicate with the woman?

Did you know that unwanted gifts can also be a form of stalking? In fact, 26% of stalking victims receive unwanted gifts, cards, and letters. Please see the link below for more details if you are concerned about this form of stalking.

Reference

Domestic Violence Services Network. (2024). January 2024 Stalking Stats, Tactics, & Impacts. https://www.dvsn.org/january-2024-stalking-stats-tactics-impacts/

Dr. Lacey Robinson

Dr. Lacey L. Robinson is a graduate of Wake Forest University and UNC-Chapel Hill School of Dentistry. As a lifelong learner, she continues to enjoy studying for both personal and professional development. As a dentist, her passion is on how best to restore full-mouth smiles with predictable, harmonious, and esthetic results. She has acted as Vice President for her local ADA Dental Society and is a graduate of the Dawson Academy, a leading international organization for post-graduate dental education.

In addition, Dr. Robinson is passionate about mental health and is a licensed clinical mental health counselor associate and National Certified Counselor. She currently works and volunteers in our community with individuals and families experiencing crisis and trauma, and she is enthusiastic about helping others define their purpose and live out their best selves.

Dr. Robinson also advocates for our community through her service as Chairwoman of the Havelock Cultural Arts Advisory Committee, as prior Chairwoman of the Havelock Chamber of Commerce, through her service on the Board of Directors for the Coastal Center for Hope and Healing, and as the Abuse Survivorship Specialist at the Havelock Pregnancy Resource Center.