I’ve shared this poem in the past, and I keep it in a folder on my studio desktop titled: MORNING POETRY. It’s such a lovely on-ramp to a gracious and grateful headspace at the top of the day. The perfect morning chime. Re-sharing it again today:
I bore witness to many small kindnesses this week —
+A gentleman stepping out of the way and encouraging a woman with a baby to take his place in line at Ash Wednesday Mass.
+The orthotist who came in to fit my daughter for her boot for her fractured ankle, and who interrupted himself from his litany of questions with: “Wait, but first — how’s the pain today, sweetie?”
+My son bringing my daughter a glass of water without her asking for it (because it was difficult at the time for her to get around with her splint and her walker).
+My dad texting me: “You are doing the right thing” with regards to a complicated matter in our personal lives. Nothing overblown, nothing overbearing — just a quiet, warm base layer of support. (I guess you never outgrow needing your Dad.)
+The several (!) mothers in Emory’s class who called and texted to check on her, and her best friend, who brought by a little bouquet of flowers, a cake pop, and a hand-written card.
+The emergency room staff member who rushed to help someone struggling to get through the door, saying: “I got you, baby.”
+Two friends volunteering their professional expertise to help us with two different situations this week — medical, legal.
+The faculty member at my daughter’s school who wrote me an email saying, about helping Emory around school while using her walker: “We’ve got your girl!”
You know, some of these aren’t even small kindnesses. Some of them are big, take-up-a-whole-city-block kindnesses. Feeling overwhelmed by the goodness of people. You open the door, and there they are, carrying a casserole or some kind words. Leave the door ajar…!
Please share your own “small kindnesses” from the week in the comments! We publish the good news.
P.S. More poems that feel like an exhale here.
P.P.S. Two specific small kindnesses I want to practice in the coming weeks: Kelly’s idea of taking on a small task that is easy for me to do and more emotionally or technically challenging for a loved one to do (i.e., making an appointment on their behalf, helping them craft a “no, I can’t” response, handling a technology they aren’t familiar with) and calendaring check-ins for friends going through tough stuff.
Shopping Break.
+Just ordered this SEA x Sezane jacket and this little white blouse.
+This ice blue cardigan!
+This ME+EM new arrival is calling my name.
+Such a cute top layer for athletic wear. The colors! The quilting! I own this in two colors. My other favorite fitness top layer: this Vuori tee.
+This shirtdress is perfect. I own three of them — two bold patterns and one in solid black silk dupioni. It is so flattering and elegant and fun and I can’t believe it’s on sale in this fun pink pattern for only $131.
+Drooling over this Prada bag.
+This bestselling console table is on sale!
+Rhoback restocked its oversized mockneck sweatshirt! This sold through so quickly when they launched it in maybe December. I have it in a previous-release color. It’s SO GOOD for throwing on over leggings. I love the length and slouch of it. Very Lady Di.
+Another cool colorway in the sweatpant jean. Reminder JENSHOOP15 gets you 15% off sitewide, and these are the best wide-leg black jeans you’ll find. Smoothing and contouring but also comfortable.
+Perfect reverse-fleece sweatshirt. I’ve been so into tailored sweatshirts like this lately to pair with jeans and a great tee for everyday writing. Comfortable, casual, but still a little cool.
+The kind of dress I live in during the warm months. Loose, billowy, slightly boho. Pair with fun jewelry and statement sandals.
+Cutest cordless lamp.
+Fun, easy-breezy vacation tunic dress. Love the color!
+Oso and Me’s new spring collection is adorable — how sweet is this set for a girl? I got Hill this striped tee and this striped polo. I think I mentioned this yesterday but he loves how soft they are, and I love that they look a little nicer than a graphic tee. Try code OSOOLIVIAG15. I am a very good code snooper lol. (Thank you, Olivia G, whoever you are!)
+Have had these velour separates in my cart for awhile…such fun colors and shapes.
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