Small acts of kindness are making a big impact these days for me.  One Sunday School class here at church knows that I LOVE Diet Coke so they gave me a 24 pack of it.  Every morning when I come into the office I see that 24 pack and remember that I am loved.  (It’s down to a 20 pack now.)  Another act of kindness we received was a couple gift cards to a favorite restaurant.  The handwritten messages  inside the many cards which reminded me that all of our family is surrounded in love.  The cards also admonish me to take care of myself.  Each of these kind acts are little bits of grace in the midst of this hard time.

This quote from Anne Lamott is providing lots of encouragement for me today.  I know that this current sadness will remain in some way but it will also change   I will be changed from this experience.  Simple changes are already happening.  A BIG birthday is coming up for Mom this weekend.  We usually celebrate a joint party for Mom and Dad together, as Dad has an August birthday too.  How do we honor this big number in Mom’s life while we are still so numb with our recent loss?  She’ll be a real live octogenarian.  We are trying a new location and plan for the party.  I’ll let you know how it goes.