Little kindnesses

Little things mean a lot. I'm happy to see an end to this week, but wanted to thank some people for sending a few little unexpected kindnesses my way.

Every Thursday afternoon I pick up my son, Patrick, and his friend Brandon from chorus practice after school. Brandon's mom has a tough time getting there at 3:15 because her older son, Danny, who has Down's Syndrome gets dropped off at the same time. I told her not to worry, I would just plan on bringing Brandon home every Thursday. It's no big deal. But yesterday when I dropped him off she handed me a container with homemade spring rolls (she's from Thailand) and a gift certificate to Ann Taylor. Totally unnecessary, but greatly appreciated. By the way, she operates a cooking school called Bow Thai. The spring rolls were delicious!

Personalities can be difficult to deal with in some cases and I was sucker-punched out of the blue on Wednesday when I thought I was doing my job. The firm I'm partnering with on a project happens to be run by one cool head and she called yesterday to tell me that all was well and not to lose sleep (too late). She reminded me that in the larger scheme of things, this snafu was utterly unimportant.

My dear friend and neighbor, Mary Waters, has to be the sweetest person on earth. I just want to thank her for getting me out of the house and being such a good, supportive friend.

And to Jonathan Montaldo who responded to my query about Thomas Merton's impact on people today with such beautifully expressed thoughts, reminding me that, as Merton wrote, God's mercy and love are found in the school of our own lives.

Author Beth Kephart sent me a lovely e-mail this morning in appreciation of my review of her book.

Finally, I'd like to thank all the readers of Creative Ink. Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of this little labor of love. I don't typically post on the weekends and just didn't want the date to pass without acknowledging what this little sliver of cyberspace has meant to me over the past year. It's been the place where I've found courage, where I've explored issues both large and small, where I've shared my dreams and fears, where I've found my voice — and, most important, where I've found myself. Thank you...