Dear Reader:

I think so many of us are deterred from taking on new challenges and situations because we are afraid of failure. We don’t realize that we don’t have to conquer the world or set it right side up again…we just need to plant a flower or pet a dog or hug a child. We just need to show love in all the small places and opportunities in life.

Don’t we sometimes hesitate or talk ourselves out of doing something nice for someone because we are unsure of their reaction…is it too little or not enough? Will we look foolish?

Yet…if we are on the receiving end, isn’t it the smallest of gestures that makes all the difference to us? While I was at Walsh and Mollie’s last Thursday working with the grandchildren writing down their thoughts about Poogie to put with their drawings…I felt this new bond developing while going through the grieving process together.

Recently I mailed the children some superhero and child-like decorated animal masks along with a note card containing three five dollar bills. I like to send the children money occasionally to put in their piggy banks to save towards something they really want or simply use as “funny money” to cheer them up.

While I was still working with the younger children on their pictures to Poogie last week… Rutledge disappeared. When he returned…he was holding two one-dollar bills. He handed them to me and said simply”I want you to have these Boo Boo.”

At first I was so surprised I found myself stuttering….”Oh Rutledge I can’t take your money” and then I saw his face grow puzzled and drop. (I quickly realized that he was simply returning some “funny money” back to me to cheer me up!)

It was then I did feel like crying…such a sweet gesture…simply imitating what I had done earlier.

“Sometimes Rutledge we don’t need money to cheer each other up…especially when we can all be together. I try to send you fun things, including “funny money” since I haven’t been able to spend as much time with all of y’all due to the Coronavirus.  

Don’t we all feel better just laughing and talking about Poogie? Poogie never needed any money did she? All she wanted was love….and that you gave her. 

“And guess what…that is all I need too!”

 (And yes….true confession…I physically hugged my Rutledge…and it felt so good. (A grandmother’s perogative! ) 🙂

So many acts of love and kindness have happened since Poogie’s demise that it is mind-boggling. Walsh and Mollie have received flowers ( including a beautiful orchid from Marcia, Mollie’s mom) the little stuffed “Poogies” to help the children sleep, a prayer tree’s first prayer on it, neighbors volunteering to help with the children, meals, cards, calls, old friendships renewed and family meetings open to discussion about the children’s on-going feelings and questions.

While Poogie was alive…she knew she didn’t need to be a ‘super-hero’ dog to change the world…she just had to be there to protect the family she loved and that she did…down to guarding the crib for each newborn sibling. She participated in every game the children played and volunteered her services pulling wagons and acting as lifeguard to the little swimmers.

So until tomorrow….Let’s learn from Poogie…it is the small acts of kindness that people remember best…not the material things but simply the “being there” presence that is never forgotten.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

Speaking of acts of kindness ….Anne texted me and asked if it suited yesterday to pick up lunch and come over Sunday ..she had the frame ready to put on my 10th anniversary blog post artwork she painted. (We both admitted one gets tired of eating alone…and it is just so nice to share a  conversation with someone!) Acts upon acts of kindness…and for me…not little at all…big…very big! 🙂

Look what we discovered while touring the garden…a bud on one moon flower…the first one should be blooming in the next few days.

*After Anne went home she discovered buds on her moon flowers too…”Tis’ the season!”