May 27, 2020
“At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.”
-Albert Schweitzer
As we begin to emerge from these weeks and months of staying home perhaps you have neighbors, friends or relatives who extended themselves to make your life at home, with or with out children, tolerable. Did you receive a mystery bag of groceries, a lovely loaf or bread or a hand drawn picture of your cat sitting on the windowsill? Perhaps a chalk rainbow found it’s way to your driveway and wished you a happy day? My own neighbor told me her grown son, who lives far away, made a point of calling her every evening! A dear friend sewed face masks for me!
Sweet and generous offerings can and should be acknowledged…each in their own way! A simple thank-you note or child’s drawing can bring it’s own rewards and lets the one receiving it know that what they did for you made a difference. If we truly take it to heart that, “we are in this together” and “it takes a village” then acknowledging the giver for the gesture of kindness and thoughtfulness is so important!! 
There is a window of opportunity right now to not go back to the way it was…but to acknowledge the role we have in each others lives…an important role as neighbors, friends and family! It’s all about that Golden Rule that we learned about when we were children, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Living that golden rule is a powerful, positive gesture as we carefully and thoughtfully find our way through a pandemic.
If you want to inject more happiness into your own life, start by writing a thank-you letter to someone else! Author, Nancy Davis Kho, offers some wonderful ideas to get you started!
In gratitude,
Marianne
I appreciate this note, thank you Marianne!
Warmly,
Sara
Thank YOU, Marianne, for continuing to be such a strong steady gentle voice through the seasons.
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Susan Silverio