Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. ~ Mark Twain
I've been touched by the kindness of so many people in the past two weeks. Many, were not actually strangers although I've only met them within the past several months and seen them a few times. In Reno, we were given personal cars to use, a place to stay, welcoming dinners, and limitless hospitality by people who hardly know us. I am so grateful to all of them. They made our stay better then a visit or a vacation. We felt at home.
A few days ago, the employees at our local bookstore went above and beyond their job. A book that was supposed to be on the shelf could not be found. E would have been distraught especially after he had called the night before and was told it was there. I promised him I'd deliver it before his reading time at school the next day. He had waited an entire week to get home to purchase book two of
Zombie Chasers.
All this effort is a big deal to a 9yo.
Three employees began scouring the shelves, backroom, and displays determined to find this one book. No book and lots of apologies. I ordered the book and left the store disappointed for E. I know it's only a book, but to nurture his desire to read is very important to me. If it were anything else, I'd not make the same effort. Before I made it home I got a call on my cell phone. They found the book.
They could have just stopped looking since I had ordered another one. They could have called me later. I went back and found the book gift wrapped and waiting for me. Although this isn't a major event, I was grateful for the effort made to make a boy happy.
Big or small, these gestures humbled me. People went out of their way to make my life easier, comfortable, and joyful. My moment this week is acknowledging the kindness that has been bestowed on my family. I'm grateful.
I am sorry I missed posting OM last week. It was the first week missed by me in 48 weeks. I know many of you posted this past week, so I'm counting this as #49 for you. Please feel free to double link (last week's and this week's) your posts.
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OM is a weekly meet up that promotes living in the moment. Whether funny, sad, ridiculous, or banal, actively looking for and sharing these moments will promote balance in our lives.
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My good friend Lourdes sent me this very funny and all too real book Go the F*ck to Sleep by Adam Mansbach. I think it is loosely based on us somehow. As Chris read aloud, I was flooded with memories of sleepless nights and endless frustration. It is funnier now looking back on it than when it was happening. These two adorable and innocent boys could reduce us to cursing like sailors.
What you need:
One of my favorite books is The King of Things and the Cranberry Clown, by John Callahan. We got it from a friend when M was born 13 years ago. It's about attaining true freedom when we let go of trying to control things - opening ourselves up to possibilities. While slightly heavy and dark for kids, it is very poignant. I used to read it to the boys when they were babies while getting emotional and sappy about their futures [self inflicted torture]. It still brings tears to my eyes.
