Dear Reader:

A thought occurred to me yesterday … in my lifetime I have probably distractedly overlooked dozens ( if not hundreds) of small acts of kindness. Why? While teaching and raising children … I moved through a lot of life in ” tunnel vision.”

But now it is my peripheral vision, finally in the driver’s seat, that has a tendency to soar and recognize little acts of kindness that had always been going on around me… for the first time.

Example: Yesterday I was pulling out of a neighbor’s driveway -when I edged back in to make sure a truck ( coming around the curve) had plenty of room. By the time I pulled back out… the truck was at the end of the street… the driver had gotten out and was doing something around the stop sign. But by the time I got to the end of the street the truck had pulled off … just as I was about to do the same …my peripheral vision picked up something blue straddling the stop sign.

It was a child’s stuffed animal… looking appropriately ” raggedy ” loved… the best kind of a child’s love. We can all picture many scenarios, as to what happened, a toddler threw it out of a carriage or wagon unknowingly to the ‘puller or pusher.’ Siblings were fighting in the backseat and one tossed the stuffed animal out the window. We could spend hours trying to guess or conceptualize how the stuffed animal ended up in the street.

But that is not the focus … it is the person who saw and placed it on top of the stop sign who deserves our attention and gratitude. A small act of kindness that hopefully will reunite a little blue bear with its owner.

In my own yard… it is my camellia bushes that were all shown acts of kindness by neighbors who came before me and friends who helped plant more bushes for me and gave me birthday camellias… thanks Anne and Brooke!

A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions and the roots spring up and make new trees ( Amelia Earhart)

So until tomorrow…” Just as the sun melts ice, kindness causes misunderstandings, mistrusts, and hostilities to evaporate. “

Braces off for Jake-retainer on… yesterday it was Eva Cate’s day to get her braces on… the orthodontist put them on in record time and look whose picture was hanging in the hall right behind where Eva Cate was getting her braces. Jake! ( bottom)

Viola… when Eva Cate got home… a party dress had been delivered-perfect timing for Eva and her new braces! Beautiful!

Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh

We have come a long way baby… since I got my braces… took hours to put on… along with rubber bands that popped out when you laughed and smacked people in the face… I had to wear them almost four years!

And we can’t forget… It is the FIRST of FEBRUARY… remember to say ” RABBIT RABBIT” first thing this morning!!!

Yesterday was Jo and Gin-g’s birthdays… Wishing both of you love and joy-since you give it back to one and all so generously! Happy Birthday Girls!

…And the Ya’s are asking for special prayers and lots of ” rabbits” for Libby today… she will be in the Augusta Medical Center undergoing some procedures and tests for medical complications she has lived with for years but lately worsened. We are there with you in spirit Libby… and you know you won’t be alone!