Sunshine and Kindness

I've noticed that some day's I just cannot think of what to write about. I have decided to use quotes/thoughts to get my thinking going. I send out a Thought each day to hundreds of people and know from responses how they make us think and ponder over them.

The thought for today's blog is....

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. ~James Matthew Barrie

I stop and think about the times I've felt more like rain than sun. In my case it is probably more due to my pain than my temperament. When I've gotten out into where there are people and I start receiving smiles and hugs, I suddenly find myself forgetting self and pain and instead feeling sunshine. Isn't it amazing what influence we have on others when we show happiness and love. It seems to bounce right back to us in such a good way.

The other day a handicapped person in a store scooter was buying groceries in a "sack your own" market. The clerk wasn't thinking and jugs of milk were where he could not reach them. I automatically told my husband to check out ours as I was going to help him. It was a little thing, but that man must have said "Thank you" 5 times while I was doing his small sack of groceries and the jugs. We went on and checked out and I forgot about it... until....

A few days later I went to Freddie's to get some groceries. I wasn't feeling real good and ended up walking the whole store looking for gifts for Christmas. By the time I was checking out I was really hurting. I was standing behind a lady waiting for her to self check herself out. I had more than 15 items and didn't feel I should go through the less than 15 items checkouts so I was waiting for an opening.

A clerk came and said to me "Let me help you over here" and took me over to the "less than 15 " and proceeded to run through and bag all of my groceries for me. I've never had that happen before but I was so thankful and kept telling her "Thank you".

I got home and was telling my husband about it and suddenly a light went on.... I told him that I guess I was rewarded for helping the fellow a few days earlier. Awesome how that happens, isn't it?

Kindness goes a long long ways....

Twas the day before Thanksgiving....

.....and I'm sitting here doing nothing. Our daughter has invited us to her house on Thanksgiving Day and insists I bring nothing. It feels funny not to be cooking but, again, it feels good. For many years I cooked and then our kids got married and the sharing began. I'm glad we can share gracefully and allow kids to do what is comfortable for their families. We spend Christmas morning at our oldest son's home. All 3 kids are their with their families (this used to be around 18 of us) and now fewer as the grand kids have sprouted their wings elsewhere in the USA. We have Sunday dinners off and on with youngest son's family and our daughter-in-laws family. My Mom has gotten where she just doesn't want to leave her home (apartment in a retirement center) and we miss her at most of the family functions.

Memories of my Thanksgiving's so many years ago at home with my parents and siblings have faded a little but it was always a joyous time with huge meals, (Mom always cooked enough for extra's).

I'm so thankful for family and friends. Wishing all who read this a wonderful Thanksgiving with all the yummy foods you look forward to devouring and plenty of leftovers to munch on later.

Sunday Evening

The weekend has gone fast. We went out to eat last night and had a yummy dinner with friends. My husband is one that if I would agree we would go to dinner every night but I like to cook and like good homecooked food so we go every 3 or 4 days instead. It's a change of scenery and good company and always fun.

Today would have been my Dad's 97th birthday if he was still living. He's been gone for some time now but I still miss him. I know we all have those who have passed on and our memories are loving and deep. I'm so thankful for the memories. My Dad wasn't perfect, (are any of us?) but he loved us dearly. He and my Mom had many years together and traveled throughout the country in their 5th wheel. They had many camper friends, many of those gone now.

Memories are great... we take them with us to our end of time. What a gift!