Love, Death, Kindness

Love and Horror and Hope....


On Valentine's Day this year, the same day that an expelled student took a semi automatic rifle, pulled the fire alarm at his former school to get the kids out into the halls and then gunned down 17 innocent lives, a former high school teacher took 15 dozen long stemmed roses, tied a love note to them and passed them out randomly to the public servants, nurses, teachers and neighbors in his small town.

Lyrics from Burt Bacharach's song "What the World  Needs Now" graced each rose. 

A timely reminder. Love for everyone. 

I was the recipient of a rose.  When I asked him why, his answer resonated. It spoke to the day, Valentine's Day, and to the alienation that many high school kids feel.

He said when he was a teacher, every year, the cheerleaders would sell flowers as a Valentine's fundraiser that the kids could then send to friends, significant others or those they hoped might become significant others.  He said he always knew which kids would get all the flowers and which kids would not get any. He could empathize with the kids that didn't.  

About nine or ten years ago he decided to just do something to make up for it.
He bought 5 dozen roses- he thought that was a lot- and passed them out.
Each year, the number grew.
About 175 roses this year. He says he's got a system to tagging them, adding the water reservoirs,    getting them ready to distribute.
He came into our clinic and handed out roses. Many of the nurses exclaimed "this would be the only rose" they would be getting this year. Some of them teared up. The newer nurses asked"who is this guy?" while the nurses that had been there a while explained "he does this every year".
Most did not know his name.

A beautiful and random act of kindness with perfect timing.

On the day we devote to love, one person trying to counteract the disenfranchisement of many.

Who knows what drives kids to pick up a gun and kill?  For many I think it's a feeling that they don't belong. For others, the gun is a symbol of power that eludes them in daily life.

I don't know. I was lucky. I got flowers on Valentine's Day back in high school.
(Now Middle School, that's a whole 'nother story.)

I do know that if I hear "praying for the school/children/world" one more time I will scream.
I have an idea.
How about praying for our government to enact change?
How about voting for change?
How about calling your representatives?

No one wants to take away your hunting rifles.
I'm a Texas girl.
I know tons of hunters. Related to a few.
Not one of them is out hunting deer with a semi-automatic.
And when you have prayed and voted and called?
Go out and perform your own random act of kindness.

I asked.  "Who do you think gets more out of it? You or the recipients?"

Figure out the answer for yourself.
Act. Do. Share.

(My random acts of kindness - No. 47 on my list- which seem pretty paltry in comparison....here and here. But you know what? They all count. They all make a difference.)

The awesomeness of randomness...

The awesomeness of randomness amazes me.


I've talked before about random acts of kindness. I thoroughly support surprising strangers (and friends) with little treats, compliments, and or thoughtful gestures.

 Driving through the Sugar Land McDonalds

and spreading some cheer. 

But today I'm thinking about random occurrences that turn into "something".  That mean something or delight or add to life.

A few years ago I ran into a girl from high school that I knew back then but wasn't close friends with. I would say we reconnected but seriously, we weren't that connected in the first place. But a friendship grew from that random meeting. Actually a few friends and acquaintances have come back into my life after an absence of 30 or more years and they are the best, most meaningful relationships.  A shared background along with the wisdom of years makes for a really great connection. Yay for those random reunions.

One of my most favorite, most random evenings was last year. Friend Diana treated me to an early birthday dinner in downtown Denver. We parked in a convenient spot and walked about six blocks to the restaurant. In that six blocks we encountered more fun, more surprise, more delight than you can imagine. TWO Tyrannosaurus Rexes, a FLEET of Lamborghinis AND fireworks. Seriously. In just one little evening stroll.

Maybe six or seven years ago I woke up one morning and thought "Wow. Belle is driving and Bunny is in Middle School and maybe I would like a job." About an hour later I logged onto Facebook where my niece had just posted that her acupuncturist needed a receptionist. Random.  Gee. I could probably do that. And I did.

Me with the amazing boss and acupuncturist Sonya

Last January, after having been out of work a while, I once again thought "Hmmm. I need a part time job." I logged onto Craig's List and there was a posting for a receptionist at a psychologist's office. Gee. I could probably do that. And I did. Although when I applied there was a mix up with my emails and I missed my first interview appointment and then when I did actually interview I was told that the position had been offered to someone else and they were still thinking about it. Random. But I still did the  interview and the other person decided to do something else and I got the job after all.

Which leads me to being in Colorado and thinking "Whoa! I NEED a job. That has benefits. And pays. And is full time."   And there was an ad in the paper looking for a receptionist for a cardiologist that offered benefits and a salary.  And that's where I work now. Each little random occurrence built off the previous random occurrence.

And that brings me to this past few weeks of randomness that I have just loved.

While I was watching TV one night I got a text.

"Lets go Yankees!!!!"

From a number I didn't recognize. I don't think I know any Yankee fans. And I certainly didn't know any Tonys on the East Coast.  I considered being polite and replying "Wrong number." but instead decided to have some fun.

Tony may have had a few drinks already as he then confused me with Sam.

So I confessed to being a little old lady in Colorado and an Astro fan.

And he proceeded to keep me updated on the game through the night.

What a good sport.

Once it got interesting I tried to find the game on TV but no luck.

Instead I got a play by play by text from across the country.

Bunny said that was creepy and I shouldn't text him back.


But you know what? He seemed like a nice guy and obviously he loves baseball and why not?

I left him alone for the first game of the series. And the Astros lost.

So, being a tiny bit superstitious, I texted him during the second game. And he replied and we texted back and forth and O my goodness! That game 2 was the most exciting thing ever.

Every game that one of us sent a text to the other, the Astros won. The games that we didn't text, they lost. 

By the end of the Series I was apologizing but adamant that I needed to hear from him to make sure we won.

And the Astros won! Their first World Series ever. Such an exciting last game, such an exciting series and -to top it all off- the most marvelous marriage proposal at the very end.

And I told Tony he wouldn't have to hear from me again. Except maybe next year. I got no reply.
Until the next morning.


Ha. We shall see.

So.

Embrace the random occurrences in your life.  You never know what will come of them.
And go treat the person behind you in the drive through to their breakfast/lunch/dinner. Because we are entering the holiday season and we all need something to be grateful for.

Karma, Milagros and Me

Karma, Miracles and Me....


Last Friday I was in a mood.  You know. A "woe is me" mood.   Needed things I couldn't find, wanted things I couldn't have. Maybe a little overwhelmed. Hohoho and the Christmas spirit. All that jazz.

In an attempt to put myself in a cheerier mood I drove through McDonald's for an iced tea and paid for the car behind me, too. A random act of kindness. Wasn't sure if it was going to make me feel better, but even if it didn't, I felt like it might bring some good karma.  You never know.

But I was still in a mood driving home.

And then! Milagros. Miracles.

 

These are milagro charms.

For real.

There was a huge box on the back porch from my friend Cathy and inside was a Christmas tree. And for the tree- milagros.
Milagro means miracle. It also means a little charm used as religious offerings, mostly in Latin American countries.
So little milagro charms hung all over this wonderful little tree.  It was beautiful and special and completely and totally unexpected. It was such a treat it made me cry. In a good way.

Karma?

Saturday morning I woke to this email:

"It was great to meet you last weekend at the market in Denver! Congratulations!  You won the pair of earrings!  Just let me know where to send them and I'll get them in the mail. Thank you!!"

Now I enter little give-aways online all the time. I'll stick my name in a jar if there is something I'd like to win.  But do I ever win? Do you? 
I don't.   
But the week before in Denver I wrote my name on a slip of paper and Lo! and Behold! I won some earrings. Fabulous earrings at that. 

Very fun earrings from Aaron Sault Jewelry.

Check out his work. 

Original. Organic. Very cool.

Karma? 

Sunday was my birthday.

I woke up to *snow*.  The first snow of December. 

A dusting of snow.

And the link to the video if you can't see it here. 

I worked, by choice. Why not? I like working.

It was a bit slow but one of the regulars came in and we chatted and I mentioned it was my birthday.
When he left, he said he might stop back by later, before we closed, but that's not unusual. Some people come in twice a day.

And ten minutes to closing here comes this nice gentleman back in the front door with a big box under his arm. It looked like a toy box.  
And he announced "Here is your birthday concert. These guys are going to serenade you. Unfortunately they don't know Happy Birthday but they do know lots of Christmas songs."

Isn't this adorable?

The Birthday Concert

And if, by chance, you can't see this video, click here.

Sorry it's a little blurry.

Totally made me smile.


I came home to presents and cards and flowers and lots of little treats.

Then Bunny and her friend boy took me to dinner. And the restaurant staff sang "Happy Birthday" to me in a wonderfully embarrassing way. (Thank goodness it was early and the restaurant was pretty empty.)

Absolutely a wonderful birthday from start to finish.


So was it all just coincidence?
A milagro?
Karma?

Who knows?
Who cares?

But just in case, I think I'll stick with those random acts of kindness.


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And a poem, given to me by my friend Cherrilla one Christmas probably 37 years ago.
Apparently I've been prone to these moods for a while.
It's copyrighted 1907 but it still holds true some days.

Nobody Cares For Me

I'm just as mad as I can be

For nobody cares for me.

I slapped the cat and banged the dog 

And they don't care for me.

I stubbed my toe on a great hard rock

And jammed my thumb in the door.

But nobody seemed to see

For nobody cares for me. 

Written by M.T. Sheahan.

Sums up those moods pretty nicely.

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I'm traveling at the end of the week.

On Sunday night, the Winter Solstice, there will be a little party so I can see some neighbor friends.
That's No. 31: Have a Solstice Party.

And then there will be Christmas and family and more travel.

Posting may be random. 

But I'm thinking about all of you. 

Merry Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving, #TBT

#TBT: Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a very happy and thankful day.

The hubs and college daughter will be in Colorado. 

The Big Guy just does not like travel and has not been feeling well, so he won't be joining us.

Cue the sad face. 

Since it is still #Throw Back Thursday November I am repeating a Thanksgiving post from last year....

An idea for table decor.   A link for turkey roasting. 

In December I am hoping to institute a Random Act of Kindness project. One random act of kindness from December 1 to December 24. Join me?   

A bit of an extension of the December 2012 post: Playing Secret Santa.

#TBT: November 2012

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy, happy Thanksgiving.

Nothing from my list today.  Didn't plan ahead to make it to the beach. So much for No. 13.

Just a very sincere wish for everyone to have a very happy day.

Be thankful for all you have.

Remember those who are gone.

And eat lots of turkey.

In the spirit of stretching yourself and learning/trying/doing something new:

Go ahead. Roast that turkey. It really is easy. For last minute turkey help, click here.  (Thanks, Butterball.)

For last minute table decorations try pumpkin place-cards. Grab those leftover Halloween mini pumpkins, a bunch of flowers (or greenery)and your electric drill.   Drill a hole in each pumpkin, pop in a flower or two, then use ribbon or raffia to tie on a card with your guests' name. Keeps Great Aunt Edna away from 
your gangsta nephew.

Aren't I adorable?

Happy fall table.

Enjoy your day!

O! And even though he is not on any social media and doesn't read my blog, Happy Birthday to the Hubs.

Playing Secret Santa

No. 47: Pay for someone else’s coffee, meal, toll.

This morning in honor of December and the holiday spirit and the need to have something to blog about, I decided to knock out No. 47.

This is one of those things that I have always wanted to do. Planned to do. Just never did. 

A random act of kindness. I love that.

So…driving through McDonald’s for my morning ice tea (unsweetened with lemon, please) I decided to just do it.

Please pull forward...

I got to Window #1 to pay and asked how much for the car’s bill behind me.  

“You gonna pay it??  It's $3.09” 

I told the cashier  I was playing “Secret Santa”. I paid for my $1.08 tea and some lady’s $3.09 breakfast and it made my morning. It felt great!

The guy at the window was grinning like he was in on a BIG surprise. And the woman behind me waved thanks.

I’m sure she told everyone at work or wherever she was headed what happened on her way in.

I’m sure the cashier told everyone working with him.

I told no one because it was good enough to just be in on the secret.  Well, until now.

So an executive decision has been made to do this every time I hit a drive through in the month of December. I'm paying for any order behind me under $5.00.  Playing Secret Santa was GREAT fun and I just can’t imagine getting more bang for five bucks any other way.

Happiness is a large, unsweetened ice tea with lemon. Honest.

And no- I won’t tell you what kind of car I’m driving so you can follow me through Chick Fil A/McDonald's/Chick Fil A/ Jack in the Box/Chick Fil A.  (Guess where I spend most of my drive through time and money? At Chick Fil A they recognize my voice and know my order.  Sad, yes, I know.)

So my challenge to you readers is this: next time you go to the drive through, ask how much is the bill for the car behind you. If you can afford it, pay it. Say you, too, are playing “Secret Santa”.  Feel great for making someone else’s day.   

Maybe we can start a trend.  

If you want to be a "Secret Santa" on a grander level in the Houston area, click here.

For more than you ever wanted to know about the drive through, click here.

Yes, I know that treating people in my fairly affluent little area is not helping the truly poor or needy. BUT I think everyone can use a treat now and then and you never know when one little gesture will turn someone's day around. 

Not a paid advertisement for any of the above mentioned restaurants.