Small Acts of Kindness

We always hear how little small acts of kindness -- even from a stranger -- can make a huge difference.

I've been surrounded by small and large acts of kindness this past year too numerous to write here and now. 

I keep thinking I should have kept a journal of all of the acts of kindness.  This morning I experienced one of these -- and it really struck me.  .

For the past month I've been going to the Rec. Center -- finally feeling good enough to really start an exercise program. 

On Friday mornings I go to a yoga class -- this was my 3rd time.  I'm definitely the remedial student, but it feels so good and is just what I need.

The instructor is super kind, and calm and gentle -- just what you would want from a yoga instructor.

After the 1st week I was talking to her and she told me there was a beginner class she taught ... obviously my poor yoga skills shone through.  I told her I was just back to exercise after a bad year of chemo and cancer and that I really felt like yoga would help me.  She was very sweet and kind.

So today when I walked in I got a mat and she came over and said "I want you to use my mat today."  It was a lovely purple mat -- that was extra long.  I thought she gave it to me since I am so tall and last time I went I kept going off the mat.

After class I rolled it up to give it to her and told her thanks.  I told her I really appreciated the longer size.  She said "aren't you in the middle of chemo?  I want to minimize germs you are exposed to so when you come I want to give you my mat so it isn't so germy."

So simple, but so kind.  I was so touched.  I was reminded that thinking of others doesn't have to be huge.  It can be as simple as remembering a stranger, worrying about her being exposed to germs and sharing a yoga mat. 

The world is full of good people!

(And thank heavens that happened this morning because Dave's car window got bashed in today while we were at his aunt's funeral and my purse was stolen.  By the time we found it they had already made 2 purchases on my credit card -- one for $700.  Really?!?!  At a funeral?!?!?!  Ok... but at least I started the day off on a good note.)

I Think You Are Hot

Conversation at Yogurtland after School Play.

Cameron:  Mom I had a super scary thing happen at school today.

Mom:  Oh no, what happened?

Cameron:  Sly smile -- well it happened when I walked over to the red table.  There was a girl.  Oooh I get shivers when I even think about it. 

Mom:  What did she say?

Cameron:   I can't tell you,  I'm too embarrassed.

Mom:  Ok, text it to me.

Text:  I kniht uoy era toh.  (Apparently too embarrassed to even txt it correctly.)

Cameron:  It just made me shiver.  And then Austin who overhead walked up to me and said "I'm really sorry dude."

Ok... this story made me laugh for so many reasons.  But mostly, cause I don't think my girls were like that and this is all new to me.  Cameron tells me about a list that the girls made of boys they think are cute, or a few times when a girl has told someone else they thought he was cute or someone else was cute.  

Maybe the girls were like that and I just didn't know, or maybe Cameron is in a class of boys and girls that are more into boys and girl.  

Cameron has told me about a few girls he thinks are cute -- and of course he always loves Addie Baker -- has since he was 3.  

Although on Valentine's Day he did tell me he had an extra special valentine -- Kenzi!

Makes me laugh -- but this whole stuff also makes me a bit nervous for the future.

Life if Great -- A lot because I'm Grateful

I woke up yesterday morning and took a shower.  So... my future great grand kids are saying to their parents as they are reading this book at FHE one night. 

Well I stood in the shower the whole time, I didn't have to use a shower chair.  I didn't cringe with pain the whole time.  I didn't have to wear a huge plastic covering to cover my 3 surgical wounds.  I didn't have to avoid the water on the 3 holes in my stomach.  I didn't look in the mirror and say "Oh yeah -- I'm bald."

I can't tell you how great it is to take a shower and take a bath -- WITHOUT HOLES IN YOUR STOMACH.

A couple of mornings earlier and woke up after a full nights sleep.  Again my future great grand kids are saying... so.

Oh my goodness.  I never realized how amazing it is to have a full night sleep.  For the past year I can count on one hand that times I have slept through the night.  The majority of the nights were me being awake in pain, or nauseau or itching or kicking or even doing yoga with the tv ... so when I wake up refreshed in the morning I am soooo happy!!! (Funny I think Dave appreciates my sleeping nights as much as me.)

I was talking to a fellow cancer survivor yesterday and we were talking about the perspective we have.  (She is a 12-year survivor.... yay for her and I hope to be just like her someday).  I was telling her that a few years ago if I had a bad night sleep I would be cranky the next day and mad about whatever kept me up all night.

Now, if I have a good nights sleep I am grateful... and happy!!!  And a bad nights sleep is just part of life. 

My friend was telling me that every once in a while when she looks in the mirror she says something bad about herself -- her husband reminds her how beautiful she is and that she is alive.  

I know I may go back to the old days when I'm not grateful for the ability to drive, or sleep, or eat or go watch Lauren play soccer, or go to 3 hours of church or to cook dinner for my family, or go to the temple without a turbin, or cry when I stand on a scale and I've lost more weight... or take a bath (which I do every night and love every minute of it) and be able to take a shower without covering holes... the list goes on and on. 

I recently heard a talk that said the best way to be happy is to be grateful.  I guess the last year has been a real life science project that shows we are happiest when we are grateful!!!!

Is Fido left or right pawed....way to go Kenzi!!

 

 

Another science fair has come and gone... (and two if more than one -- both girls had theirs due at the same time -- just as were their bug collections... glad it is over).

Kenzi loved her project this year -- testing dogs for paw dominance.  And she did great!  She made it to the District Science Fair -- was a finalist and won 3rd place. 

Good job Kenzers.... my advice to all moms out there -- make sure your kids find a project they are really interested in.  Makes it so much more fun and so much easier!!!

A Tale of Two Cities... or at least different parts of the cul-de-sac

Saturday was one of those incredible early spring Utah days.  Tons of snow -- but 50 degrees (man I wish I were skiing this year).

I had to laugh in the afternoon as various activities took place in the circle.

*  Hess House -- snow clothes (well at least gloves) and building a snowman.

*  Lyman House -- sundresses, no shoes, planting flowers.

I love spring in Utah!!!!  

But can I say I don't love being the back end of the cul-de-sac where they plow all of the snow and it never melts!