Kindness and Entertainment Recommendations

"One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood."

~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca

I generally don't watch television series.  After staying up way too late on a Mad Men binge a couple of years ago, I called it quits.  But I have a couple of friends who share their recommendations with me -- even if I tell them I'm not watching.  Recently, I found myself watching one of the shows they had recommended.  It was a pleasant -- and probably needed -- distraction.  I am grateful that my friends continue to share their recommendations despite my protestations.

Late-Night Kindness

"The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it."

~ Hubert H. Humphrey

There are moments that make you say a silent thank you -- even after you have thanked the person who helped you profusely.  Imagine that it's closing in on midnight when your child realizes that she is missing a color copy of something for a project due the next day, but your go-to color printer is on the fritz and the closest all-night copier place is probably 10 miles and a big bridge away.  You think think think and decide to text one of your first mom friends to ask if she is up (even though she shouldn't be because she is a teacher and teachers go to sleep early) and to see if she has a color printer.  You stare at the phone and become hopeful as you see the three little dots that indicate she is answering your text.  The message arrives:  "I do! Brand new. Can I print something for you?"  And with those few words, she saves the day (night, really).  So you drive the couple of blocks to her house and she is standing outside by the street with the color copies.  Drive-thru service, no less.  And you are grateful.  Again and again.

The Kindness of a Visit

"Time is your most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it...  When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back."

~ Rick Warren

On a recent weekend, one of my dearest college friends came for a visit.  She had business in a city nearby and decided to come to visit with me for a couple of days.  It was wonderful to be with her as we don't get much time together.  And I appreciated her taking the additional days to spend time with me.  It was quite a gift.

Kindness and a Note

"My religion is very simple.  My religion is kindness."

~ Dalai Lama

An elementary school boy I know recently had a grandparents' event at his school, but his grandparent was out of town.  When the head of the school heard that this boy did not have his grandparent present, she wrote him a beautiful note saying that she was thinking about him and telling him that he was a very special young man.

The Kindness of Children-Made Home Remedies

"The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love."

~ Hubert H. Humphrey

I recently went through a bout of bronchitis.  Worried about my persistent cough, my children took to the Internet to find some good home remedies.  I was served hot herbal tea as well as warm milk and honey.  There were some other remedies that they considered, but fortunately I escaped chewing garlic cloves.

Kindness and Sharing Treats

"There's a great joy in my giving.  It's thrilling. It's exhilarating.  It's important to be a part of sharing.  It is my love.  It is my joy."

~ W. Clement Stone

One of my dearest mom friends recently told me she had a little gift for me.  "I like them, but you like them more than I do," she said.  A beloved teacher, my friend frequently receives presents from her students and their parents.  Sometimes, the treats make their way to me.  The latest gift was a generous container of these small, delicate and very delicious cookies that I love.

Kindness and Distraction

"I need distractions. Good distractions, not bad ones."

~ Danny Aiello

It was one of those crazy days -- back-to-back meetings and events.  Although I left one meeting early, I was still going to arrive at the next meeting late.  As I was on my way there and bothered by my being late, I received a call from an old friend who wanted to run something by me.  She apologized for interrupting me, but on the contrary, I was delighted to hear from her and I much preferred a conversation with her than with my monkey mind and its useless chatter.