My Surprise Mystery Gift From SPG

“Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes” is a Latin phrase from Aeneid (II, 49), written by Virgil between 29 and 19 BC. It has been paraphrased in English as the proverb “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts”. Its literal meaning is “I fear the Danaans [Greeks], even those bearing gifts” or “even when they bear gifts”. (Wikipedia).

Last night, soon after arriving home, I got a call on my apartment intercom (the ring always startles me because I never recognize the sound). It was my doorman calling. He told me tha he’d forgotten to give me a package when I came home. I figured it was a recent online order from Patagonia or Oiselle. He put the box in the elevator, pressed floor 6, and I retrieved it on my floor.

The box was heavy. About 8 pounds. The label said it was from SPG. I had no clue. I went to work trying to open the box.

Once opened, all I could see was something heavy that was heavily wrapped in bubble wrap.

There was a nice note accompanying the bubble-wrapped mystery gift. Obviously, it was from the SPG’s social media team. How cool. Keep living the #SPGlife!

Finally, I got what felt like 16 layers of bubble wrap off. I came to this: a box wrapped in tissue paper, with an SPG sticker.

The box was from a company called Navarino Icons, which I had never heard of, but now know is company that sells authentic Greek gourmet foods and other items.

I pried the box open and finally saw the gift. It was a box of specialty fancy Greek food items: Honey, Fig Marmalade and Virgin Olive Oil.

I’m not sure what I did to deserve (or win?) this but I sure am appreciative and touched. And thanks especially to the SPG team, who I’m guessing had something to do with this.