It’s Monday and everyone’s dreaming about Friday.
I hadn’t even made it through ten minutes of the workday and people were already moaning about the weekend being over, how much they can’t wait for vacation, how tired they are, how much they hate Mondays.
Don’t get me wrong, I was right there with them. This morning my alarm clock and I were far from friends. I managed to get through the day. I whined occasionally about how I didn’t feel good, raced through to get as much work done as I possibly could and then got out of there as soon as I possibly could.
Monday. Done.
And then I saw a note that an old friend wrote about her day. She wrote about the kindness of others, the kindness she experienced while running errands with her father who has Parkinson’s. She wrote about the gentle greeting of the woman at the dry cleaner who hugged her dad upon his arrival and departure and about the man who sang a Christmas carol while helping her dad walk and about the many people who waited with patience as she and her dad slowly made their way through doors.
Her note made me reflect on my own day, the day I had wished away.
The little girl bogged down with a huge backpack and giant saxophone case who rushed to hold the door open for me this morning. The excitement in the eyes of one of my kids who got her first college acceptance in the mail. The cup of hot tea my mom joined me for after a long day at work. The old man who waved me in to merge with traffic even though everyone behind him was honking. The texts with Kate about the amazing bowl full of heads that she crocheted for me. The memory of my friend’s dad playing the drums with wild abandon in his pajamas in their front hallway.
Thank you to my old friend and her jackdaddy for reminding me that today is more important than tomorrow.
My Monday wasn’t much, but it sure had it’s beautiful moments.
grounded growth 
Dec 05, 2011 @ 20:35:14
Liked this one. I oftentimes experience days where peoples’ kindness humbles and overwhelms me. That’s usually a day with Greg. Then there are days when no one has patience, no one is kind, no one understands and I end up being influenced by their negativity. That’s usually a day with Greg too. As I age, I am finding the balance leans towards the kind and that I am changed more by the good than influenced by the bad. Greg? Always good, always kind, full of laughter and appreciation and a few song lyrics!!! He should always wield the influence…
Dec 06, 2011 @ 16:49:33
Susan! Thanks for sharing. Greg is a rockstar and so are you.
Dec 05, 2011 @ 20:58:28
It’s been said that today is a gift and tomorrow but a promise…how nice that your friend reminded you, and you reminded me. Thanks for joining me in that cup of tea. It’s the littlest things that make our days special, isn’t it?
Dec 06, 2011 @ 16:50:32
I love you, Mom!
Dec 05, 2011 @ 21:05:04
I love reading these!! It is not often we stop to recognize all the wealth of what we have. Since the world is consistently telling us that without “this” item or that thing we aren’t complete. This is why I do my missionary work every summer….it helps to keep me grounded and remind me of all I do have! It amazing the wonderful things we can witness if we just stop and relate to one another at the “human” level. This is the joy you bring to others……and this blog is evidence of that! Love it….keep it coming!! :)))
Dec 06, 2011 @ 16:51:51
Essie, I was so inspired when you mentioned your missionary work that I went and checked out your photos. WOW. Great stuff…your like a kindness whirlwind every time I see you, by the way. You just ooze positive and I appreciate that more than you know. xoxo
Dec 05, 2011 @ 21:43:50
I was laying in the dentist’s chair this afternoon, having one of my snaggly, McGlaggly tooth filled today (lower right central incisor) and in awe of the dentist and his assistant; it was a dance, a ballet they were dancing over my wad-stuffed maw. No words, that I could hear, but they were so GOOD at what and how they did it. They were taking care of me.
The world is there. When we invite it in; when we reach out to it; when we just simply live, it is a wonder.
Thanks Susannah
Dec 06, 2011 @ 16:53:23
UP, I have a couple of those McSnaggly’s too… genetics, doh! I love that you found the beauty, the art in something that most people dread. Goodness is everywhere. Love you.
Dec 05, 2011 @ 21:59:10
Thanks for the reminder that a shift in perspective can make a world of difference.
Dec 06, 2011 @ 16:53:58
Thanks for reminding me that a moment with a good friend is the best kind of medicine, girl.
Dec 05, 2011 @ 22:00:35
You know, “lying in the dentist’s chair’… (I knew I should have checked it, but then… premature enter-action)
Dec 06, 2011 @ 16:54:12
🙂 no judgement here!
Dec 05, 2011 @ 22:02:52
i love you susannah,
Dec 06, 2011 @ 16:54:45
Hey, that bowl of heads has gotten lots of shout-outs!!! xoxo
Dec 06, 2011 @ 10:44:25
Such a beautiful and inportant post. Love it. Thank you. I love the picture!
Dec 06, 2011 @ 16:56:09
You once wrote to me, “… if you look and want to see, there are secrets in the world and much love in it.” Truth. Truth. Truth.
Dec 06, 2011 @ 13:46:48
Everyday is a blessing. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Dec 06, 2011 @ 16:57:46
Thanks for connecting, Robin! xoxo
Dec 06, 2011 @ 16:17:44
Today you were a bright spot in my day, Susannah!
Thanks for being you!
Dec 06, 2011 @ 16:58:43
You were a bright spot in my day, too, Denise! You always are. Thanks for reading! I’d love your feedback.
Dec 06, 2011 @ 19:27:24
This was the perfect punctuation to a Dad/Daughter evening w/HPHS benefits.
UBUNTU is alive and well in Hartford!
Dec 06, 2011 @ 20:45:40
YES! Dad, I always love hanging with you. And running into the HPHS old-time crew was an added treat. Thanks for making time to chill with me. I love you.
Dec 06, 2011 @ 21:11:13
Most amazing insight there!!!! SO TRUE. Like Susan said….kindness from random people humbles me!
Dec 06, 2011 @ 23:02:53
Kat! You are the random kindness fairy!
Thanks for the love. It’s coming right back at you.
Dec 07, 2011 @ 12:39:43
Oh me Malies!!!! Lying on the couch in Cape Town and I’ve read each of your blog entries numerous times- tears streaming down my face- why??? Because I talk about this friend I have to everyone I meet, I try describe her; “she is so beautiful, has dimples, curly hair, makes miniature books, knits, has a way about her that defies words…” And now there are words- your words. It is like having you next to me on my couch my wise and beautiful friend. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with the world xxx
Dec 07, 2011 @ 19:28:51
JANNAJ! You make my life better. Enough said. xoxo
Dec 10, 2011 @ 06:23:33
The present is a gift. That’s why they call it the present.
Dec 12, 2011 @ 17:03:13
You got that right! It’s so easy to forget that. I hope your day has been full of little gifts.
Dec 20, 2011 @ 21:23:23
dang sue. for real?? what a great post. brought me a couple places: to the chatfield’s foyer, where you never knew what you would walk into and you always secretly hoped it would be to jackdaddy banging on the drums in his jammies… and more importantly, to the here and now.
Girl. You made my Monday awesome. even though it is Tuesday. 😉
Dec 21, 2011 @ 15:34:08
Carlita, the best part was the door was never locked and there was always some kind of shenanigans going on in there. You have made more days in my life than I can possibly count…xoxo