Dear Reader:

Aren’t the greatest gifts we can give people…internal? When we give the gifts of love, friendship, loyalty, dignity, compassion, humility, joy, and courage to another…don’t these mobile qualities (now secured within another recipient) travel with them throughout their lives?

When I think back on the people in my life (including family members, friends, teachers, coaches, mentors, pastors, etc.) who most influenced and  changed me…I only now understand that their gift has never left me.

There can be no more precious gift than this…carrying a part of another’s greatest positive influence within us….a “transplanted” quality of life needed to complete ours.

There were so many caregivers (in my own life) who helped take a little insecure, thumb-sucking introverted child… turning her into an out-going, socially happy adolescent and now contented, fulfilled adult…I am, also, reminded of the number of people God sent  me … to continue molding and forming His original creation.

I, especially, remember the people who taught me courage. I was blessed to be surrounded with courageous role models in my immediate family.

Everyone needs a role model for a different attribute they are seeking in their lives… It is up to us to step up to the plate to provide another generation with our help and support through stories and personal examples.

We must all discover the beauty of open hearts, the joy of caring, the meaning of purpose, and the gift of courage.

In “Spotlight on Kindness” the most recent ‘spotlight’ was on sharing courage with others. The editor commented:

“A Buddhist friend once told me that of all the various ways you can practice giving, giving someone courage is considered to be the most significant. To lend a shoulder to lean on, encourage someone, or offer a kind word — can all serve as beacons of hope during stormy weather.”

This was one true story example cited:

After wrapping a grueling 12-hour, overnight shift helping patients fight the coronavirus, nurses at Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center in Downey, California, loudly cheer as they leave work

“Sometimes we have up to, like, 10 to sometimes 18 nurses walk out and we just kind of wait for each other,” said Kelly Wilson, a registered nurse who works in the neonatal intensive care unit at Kaiser Permanente Downey. “It’s like a cheering squad.”

But the “cheer squad” wouldn’t exist without its unofficial leader, the person who greets them outside every day after their shift: Security officer Robert Johnson.

For the nurses, Johnson, a 58-year-old former Marine, is the human embodiment of a pep rally, greeting them with enthusiasm and positivity after a long night of treating people in the fight for their lives against a relentless virus.

“We have a lot of things thrown at us all the time where we work on high stress levels all the time,” Wilson said, acknowledging that some days are harder than others. “Maybe some people feel defeated leaving work, and he (Johnson) just gives that extra energy to be positive.”

Johnson said he feels it’s his duty to lift the spirits of the people around him and to remind these front line workers of the difference they are making.

“These are individuals who are taking time away from their life, coming here, putting a majority of their time in to work here,” he said. “And I show a lot of appreciation for that. That’s why I try to bring out a smile. Look what you have done!”

Johnson, himself, gets little sleep between his security shifts because he stays after his shift to cheer all the front line medical staff as they leave…each and every day. Collectively they are honoring each other and celebrating the joy for each life saved from COVID19.

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

So until tomorrow…

Given to all of us… is the opportunity to become a life changer, life maker, or life saver. It just takes a few minutes to share our story and then pass on the wisdom of experience to another…in order to change their story…their life.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

Anne sent me a photo of her morning glories, yesterday, blooming in an abundance of beauty. I told her they were so lovely. I was envious…I always had my fence covered with these flowers each summer but not this year…thanks to COVID and not getting into nurseries to pick up my early annual spring plantings.

Then this afternoon I glanced at my pile of morning glory leaves and weeds to see if, perhaps, a wild morning glory was blooming…but nothing. Just about that time a hawk, overhead, screeched loudly….startled I looked up and there were four morning glory blooms in all their beauty smiling down at me… from the tip top of a tall shrub tree next to the fence.

Both Libby and Brooke are sharing time with family at different beaches this week. Brooke sent out an adorable photo of her two grandchildren…Caleb (Boogie Boy) and Emma Grey.

*Make lasting memories girls!