It’s the Little Things . . .

This is our first week out of school since we’re off for the month of December.  I feel so rejuvenated being able to actually get things done.  I mean, I have cleaned my house this week!!!  I got Christmas presents boxed up and sent and a ton of other errands that have just been waiting for TIME!  Of course, I still feel like I have so much to do with time ticking by too quickly, only adding stress.  It’s a vicious cycle sometimes with never any reprieve.  I know you have felt like this too – I can’t be the only one.

It’s times like this when you just need to step back and appreciate the little things, because, at times, those are the most meaningful and most important.

Take my afternoon today – I had an eye doctor appointment at Walmart (not my favorite place during the holidays – too many people!!).  Afterwards I had to drop off a prescription at the pharmacy only to find out that it was almost their lunch time so it wouldn’t be ready for over an hour and a half.  I kind of needed the prescription this afternoon and Walmart is a little too far for me to go home and then run back later.  So, I decided that the kids had been really good during my appointment (hurray for movies in the waiting room!) that I would take them to lunch.  The only problem is that we are in a business district with no fast food restaurants.  This is the only way I’ll take all 4 kids out to lunch by myself – and usually only through the drive-thru!  We decide to eat at Cheeseburgers in Paradise.  We are the only group with children – surprise!  So, I was expecting the worst from the get-go.  After the waitress took our order, I was talking to Chris on the phone when I heard a big bang and turned around – Caleb had spilled my full glass of water all over the table.  The two people in the booth next to us graciously handed over napkins and asked their waiter to bring me some more.  Then people started coming out of nowhere – the table was cleaned, the floor mopped, and a new glass of water brought.  I didn’t have to say anything.  I took a **deep breath** after thanking everyone and we had an enjoyable lunch.  That would have been a lot of little things to be grateful for BUT the one I was most grateful for was the smallest yet – as the people in the booth next to us were leaving, they walked past us.  I saw the man out of the corner of my eye, stop and come back to us.  He leaned over to me and said he just wanted to tell me that I had 4 beautiful children and they were so well-behaved.  That took him less than 1 minute to do but it made my day, especially when he witnessed our catastrophe at the beginning!  I should be more forward about complimenting people I don’t know!

For the second little thing this afternoon I have to back up to tell you that I took one of Chris’s suits to be dry-cleaned earlier this week.  We’ve been frequent visitors at this family-run dry cleaners since we’ve moved to this area and they are a great family who do a lot of business in the area.   When I went in on Wednesday  I started giving him my phone number (how they have us in the computer) and he stopped me and asked if he had the right name.  He did.  I was really surprised.  Then today I walked in, the man stopped what he was doing and went to the rack before even taking my ticket.  He found Chris’s suit and brought it over to the counter.  I was so touched.  Sometimes we feel we’re just another number but when you realize people know who you are, it makes you feel so good.

I feel committed now to not think of little things I can do as silly or insignificant because a smile, a hello, or remembering someone’s name can make someone’s day!  It’s a great way to enjoy the Christmas season – share in the little things we can do for each other – so get out there and do something little for someone today!