A Kind Turn

by Michele Boy | November 21, 2024

It’s one week until Thanksgiving. How did that happen? Next week’s paper will go out early so that is likely my weekend job. 
 I am thankful I can do some of that work from home.
 We had some flurries of snow on Tuesday that got me very excited for the holidays coming up. Will it be a white Christmas?
  While moisture in our neck of the woods is very much appreciated, like anything, it can be a blessing or a curse.
  If you have no coat and it is -20 degrees, weather is dangerous. 
The beautiful rains nourished our fields but it also exposed leaks in homes and buildings, creating headaches for some. 
  I was told that Emmaus House in Garden City is preparing 300 boxes of food twice a week for those in need. 
  I threw some food that went bad away and I feel shame.
  I know next week is  Thanksgiving and gratitude but honestly, how many times do you stop and realize how much you really have?
  I think I shared this story once before. A woman was concerned about her family losing sight of the important things. 
 When the opportunity for a mission trip came up, she decided the whole family would go.
  However, instead of seeing the poverty and the dirt floors, her daughter saw a rooster on the roof and exclaimed we don’t have a rooster.
  I laugh because kids always put things in perspective.
Their observations can help us see things we miss.
  If you have a warm bed, a roof over your head, someone to love, and food to eat, you are winning. 
  There is nothing wrong with pursuing goals, dreams, and having hope for the future for bigger things. But once in a while, I think it is good to stop and say thank you.
  I feel like I write this message a lot. Sometimes I write it because I am so tired of heaing people complain all the time and never lift a finger to help. 
 Sometimes we get so busy we forget this life is everything we prayed for, and we need reminded.
  Sometimes life is really hard and we need some memories of good to hold onto and keep it going.
  I guess the message that is different today is keep your eyes open looking for the good.
And looking to do good. 
  I was away for the weekend, driving along, relaxing for the first time in a while. I didn’t have my list out. I wasn’t rushing wondering what had to be done next. 
 I just chilled out. As I was hanging out, a person came to my heart and mind that I don’t normally think of day to day.
  I said a quick prayer for them and moved on with my day. 
Then I felt like I should tell them, check on them.
 My short text message filled them up.
 Later, as my eyes were more open, I had the opportunity to help another. 
 Shortly after that, a friend surprised me and did a kind turn toward my daughter. 
  So as we head into Thanksgiving, I am asking you to decide where your heart is. 
 Is there someone you can reach out to and say, “I’m thinking of you.” Or maybe, “Thanks for ...”
  Maybe in the beginning it isn’t selfless. Maybe it is in the hope of reaping some reward. But challenging yourself to find some good can often color the world  a brighter shade.
  Do you have a minute to just say a quick thank you to someone? 
Write them a card? Text? Call? 
  Can you spread some kindness? Give to the food pantry? 
Say a kind word to a passerby? 
Kahlil Gibran wrote, “Sometimes the smallest acdt of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.”