Kindnessgirl

1. The post office almost seemed like Cheers today. Sam, the postal worker, was chatting with various regulars. He told me how to package differently to save a few dollars and graciously waited while I repacked an entire box.

Older gentlemen and grandmothers smiled at babies in car seats while harried mothers put packages together during the long wait in the line. Lucy sang Jingle Bells at the top of her lungs while I promised Jack this would be the last trip for a long time. This small hope got him through.

I just like the feel of cardboard packages and envelopes in my hand. Someone dear will get to open a tiny treasure soon. The surprise kind are the best.

2. Gracie the dog came to spend a few nights with us while her family is away. She wants to cuddle like a cat, all 95lbs. of her but she’s gentle like a dear old girl. She could possibly be the nicest dog I have EVER met in my ENTIRE life. The kids are beside themselves- all the kids, in the whole neighborhood. It was the best Christmas treat.

3. There has been a fire in my fireplace almost every other night. You might remember from this how long I have been waiting for the fire miracle.

4. The Christmas altar is a little bare or maybe just simple this year. Jack came to me one day and held up a lego creation he had made.

“Mom, do you know why I made this Lego?”

“No buddy, why?”

“Because I want Chlistmas (christmas) to be special, you can put this on our altar if you want.”

I went out later and came home to about 8 more tiny creations on the mantle. Candles and legos, maybe that’s all you need.

5. A Julie Andrews Christmas- I’ve been torturing my family by making them listen to various artist’s versions of Christmas music ALL the time. Yesterday it was Julie Andrews…We needed the grandeur only Julie can bring while spinning on the top of some mountain in Austria. During my best falcetto impersonation of Ms. Andrews on the way to school Josiah said,

J:” Mom, do you know what you should do?”

Me:”What?”

J:”You should join a singing contest mom!”

Jack: ” You really should mom, I think you could win!”

Me and Julie, here we come American Idol…

6. Fairy Godmothers have been visiting me with gifts of fruit on the steps at my back door, neighbors who offer to babysit at the last moment before crisis, massages and friendships forged by tears over breakfast.

It’s Christmas Kindness…

7. Kindness work- the kindness calls have been coming in pretty regularly lately. So many stories, lots of hope floating around even in the darkest moments. Peace on earth, goodwill to men…

Christmas is hard, I hope tiny miracles cross your path this season…feel free to share any in the comments.