Gratitude and Kindness: Mama Gwen

I've had many thoughts about what to write about this month. 

This is Gwen. 

I'll tell you why I'm writing about her in a minute.

Life is a complex mixture of many things. 

There are happy moments, sad moments, moments of discouragement and fear, and moments of great joy. 

And lately I feel like we have been experiencing it all. 

I've wanted to do the "30 days of gratitude" since last year, but I've decided to do something a little bit different. 

For me personally, I can always think of things that I'm grateful for. But, lately I've been thinking about what I do about ALL of those wonderful things. I can sit here and tell you a million things that I'm grateful for, but if I do nothing to give anything back, then am I really grateful? 

So this month, I've decided to write about a mixture of things:

Kindness that is shown and things that I'm grateful for.

I believe these two are connected in a powerful way.

I'm one who believes that acts of kindness are most powerful when done in secret and without any recognition. So, I will be doing my acts of kindness. I promise. But, I probably won't be sharing all of them. I love doing them, but they are very personal to me, so please trust me when I tell you that.....

MAN, I'M HAVING FUN DOING THEM!

However, I WILL share with you the many acts of kindness that I see happening around me every day. Some are small. Some are profound. But, each one makes a difference.

That's what's great about showing kindness. It doesn't matter how small it is. It still matters.

And the best thing about gratitude is that when I'm focusing on the many things that are GREAT about my life, it's really hard to focus on the struggles.

So, I'm excited about this month.

Back to my friend Gwen.

I call her Mama Gwen.

She is my mom away from home.

And she is always doing kind things for others.

Yesterday, I was the lucky recipient of her goodness.

I was treated to a delightful lunch where I got to talk, to laugh and to just enjoy the moment.

And I can't tell you how much I loved my time with her.

She loves me.

And yesterday, she made time to make sure I knew that.

Nothing profound.

But, for me.....well, it was just what the doctor ordered.

Thank you Mama Gwen.

I'm grateful for your friendship.

And I'm grateful for your kindness.

So, today I'm grateful for Gwen, but it also makes me think of so many others who have recently shown their love, support and concern. Thank you for that kindness. 

HERE WE GO.....

A month of kindness and gratitude.