Kindness Project (continued)

Two more examples of kindness I have experienced:

Gayle, who managed our office at Associated Speech and Language Services was one of the kindest people I've known..  She always made clients and their kids feel welcome and became friends with many of the parents.  She was willing to listen, both to clients and to me.  Whenever a deadline of some sort came up, she'd always say gently, "I'm reminding you that..."  She drove me home once when I had an attack of diverticulitis and even made a trip back to the office late one evening from her home near Galveston to return my car keys she'd accidentally picked up.  I always enjoyed our birthday dinners at the Saltgrass Steakhouse and miss her now that she's moved back home to Seattle.

A few weeks ago I was at the checkout counter at Kroger's paying for a 14 pound box of cat litter when the woman behind me said that she and her daughters would be happy to help me load my groceries into my car.  Not only that, but they offered to follow me home and carry the groceries inside.  What a good deed!
 

Kindness Project (continued)

 Continuation of acts of kindness I have received, given or observed:

After my husband died, Michelle Lynn, a speech pathologist colleague, sent me a book titled "Healing After Loss"  that contained daily readings to comfort someone grieving a loss.  I read each day's entry and found it so comforting that I've sent copies of the book to family or friends who have suffered a loss of someone dear.  I will never forget Michelle's act of kindness.

Coffee ice cream is my comfort food.  When I mentioned to my doctor during the pandemic that HEB was out of it and of course, I couldn't go out to other stores to look for any, she stopped by on her way to run errands with two pints of Hagen Daz coffee.  That made my day!

The Kindness Project continued

 As I wrote several weeks ago, the Kindness Project pairs seniors with college freshman.  We are asked to think of ten examples of kindness we have received, given or observed--one each week of the project.  

 I met Marilyn at a romance writers' meeting.  We both became part of a critique group composed of six aspiring romance writers.  Soon Marilyn and I became close friends.   Here  are two of her many acts of kindness toward met:

Several days before my husband died, he had to have his will notarized--I can't recall why he hadn't done so before.  The notary from my attorney's office came to the hospital and explained to Ralph what was needed.  Marilyn had just stepped into the room for a brief visit before she and I were to go to dinner.  Ralph was woozy and weak when the notary handed him the document.  Marilyn, an  occupational therapist, noticed his difficulty with the pen and said, "Here, Ralph, let me position your hand."  She essentially guided him through his signature.  I have never forgotten this act of kindness.

Two years ago, I had major surgery. Marilyn heard about my operation through a mutual friend.  By then she had moved to Portland, Oregon, but she called and offered to come to Houston to take care of me.  Although I was getting along well, I am forever grateful for her offer.

Books of September

 The Things We Cannot Say:  This story alternates between the past and the present.  Alina, a young girl in war-torn Poland, and her fiance Thomaz, yearn to escape their country but circumstances intefere.  Eventually, Alina is able to make her way across the Russian border, but she must leave her lover behind.  In present day America, Alina, now known as Hannah, is dying but she begs her granddaughter Alice to go to Poland and find Thomaz.  Alice has her own problems, a shaky marriage, a non-verbal autistic son and an academically advanced daughter, but she makes it her mission to travel to Poland, and there she uncovers the story of her grandmother's early life.  In turns heartwarming and heartbreaking, this is a memorable story.

Carrie Soto is Back:  I am a tennis fan, so when I saw a book about a former tennis star making a comeback, trying to break her own winning Grand Slam record, I thought, "This is a book for me."  Alas, no.  The main character is unlikeable, and we are treated to every move, every thought in every tennis match in the story.  If you lke to read the details of every ball toss, every serve, lob, volley, down-the-line or cross court return, you might like this book.  I love watching tennis, but reading about every point bored me out of my mind.  Does Carrie win another Grand Slam?  Who cares?

We Remember Them

Monday evening is the beginning of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.  It is a time to ask forgiveness for our sins and also a time to remember those loved ones who are no longer with us.  This poem encapsulates our feelings for those who were with us in life and whom we remember in death.

In the rising of the sun and in its going down, we remember them.

         In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we remember them.

       In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring, we remember them.

       In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer, we remember them.

      In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we remember them.

     In the beginning of the year and when it ends, we remember them.

     When we are weary and in need of strength, we remember them.

     When we are lost and sick at heart, we remember them.

     When we have joys we yearn to share, we remember them.

     So long as we live, they too shall live for they are now a part of us, as we 

           remember them.