Operation: Make the World a Better Place – Phase 2:

I celebrate my friends and other nice people I meet out in the world here pretty often, but not often enough. It’s easy to complain about things here, and I don’t intend to stop that altogether, ‘cause frankly, I need a safe vent. I have been and will continue to try harder to really think about what I say here before I go ahead and say it, but this is my “rant” and I don’t feel that there is ANYthing in me that is too ‘bad’ for this place. nyah.
:p
However, I do think that there is more that I can do, so I am going to start regularly* using this forum to talk about the good people I meet and their good deeds, large and small, so that maybe we can all be reminded that it’s not all bad, that there is lots of good, wherever you look – if you look.

The kindness of strangers...
Last Saturday was the day I woke up with my eye swollen shut, feeling terrible. Chris had to take me to the hospital, and work was out of the question. I felt like Quasimodo, I must’ve looked a terrible, icky mess. Nonetheless, a lady in the CVS where I was picking up my eye drop prescription saw me leaning against Chris near the pick-up counter, and stopped to say “Oh, you look like you feel bad” in a sweet and soothing voice, and patted my shoulder and said “Take care.”
Moo. Most people would walk on by, simply out of self-preservation, and who could blame them? You never even really notice that people just walk on by. It’s just what people do. But as soon as she offered me that small kindness, I felt flooded with the warmth of her genuine concern. I instantly felt better. I thanked the lady on the spot, and it caused me to really consider the difference those little gestures can make.

The good side of the medical profession...
For that matter, the staff at Pardee hospital is a crew that always goes out of their way to make you feel a little better. They are friendly and devoted and often funny, too. As bad as going to the hospital is, it’s worth the drive to go to Pardee for the extra-special care. They aren’t the only nice ones, either. I’ve known good doctors and nurses all my life, people who go out of their way to ease and soothe your pain and fear. People like beloved Dr. Asemi who did my appendectomy when I was 13 and in need of more than just surgery; one nurse in particular at the Urgent Care in Hattiesburg who took such good care of me when I was suffering from horrible vertigo the week of Dad and Robbie’s deaths… I can instantly recall dozens of memories of kindnesses given in the worst of times by these devoted people over the years.

Small sacrifices...
Last Sunday, we went to brunch. It was before my flu symptoms had kicked in, but my eye was really bad, and I was feeling pretty yuck. Our waitress was also a friend of ours and I warned her not to get too close. She sweetly and tactfully complied, and went on with her busy business. There was a large table of elderly ladies, from the North (ahem) behind us and they were being incredibly obnoxious to this young lady. At one point, she had to leave her tables to cry. I got up and found her (still trying to keep a safe distance) and said something to let her know that I saw and sympathized, and also made her laugh.
When she returned to her tables she stopped at ours, and carefully and gently gave me a sweet little hug, despite my cooties. Bless you and thank you for that sweetness, Miss E.

It's surprising when some people go out of their way...
There’s John, the man who let me drive his mini-excavator, despite possible risk, and made my day, and there’s Michael, the construction foreman who asked him for the favor on my behalf, not to mentioned stopped his important work to cut my kitchen pipes for me...

Taking a moment from a busy schedule...
My friend Bill, a wonderful (and very busy) person and skilled plumber who took my calls all throughout that frustrating job, patiently listening to my “curvy thingy with the loop” kinds of descriptions, answered all my questions, and then came by to help me be sure that it was done properly, and for no more pay than a cup of Darjeeling...

The web of distant friends...
There’s my friend Will, patiently plugging away at his own complicated life, struggling with his own serious issues, and yet finding time to be concerned and supportive of all his crazy friends...

Dear, dear far away Teddy, who always thinks of me, even when I am a million miles away for a long, long time, who somehow knows when I am struggling and rises to the occasion, whether with some digital silliness, legos for the broken little girl in me, birthday goodies, easter baskets, or random packages of awesomeness. Teddy who knows me better than a lot of people who see me every day and still loves me and calls me BelleBoi after all these billion years…

...And the Strangeness of Kinders...
…The Geek Patrol, on the whole, with all their sundry gentle madnesses. Specifically today, I’ll celebrate Ken’s fierce protectiveness for his “family” and desire to get and keep everyone together; Tobie’s generosity and elemental “fun” power; Mike’s dogged devotion to even the most scandalous of us, and continued effort to keep me in the loop;
Jen and Burt’s loving generosity; Jen’s ‘Warrior Queen’ defense of her “family” (between Ken and Jen, we ain’t got NO worries!) and brave ability to say exactly what she thinks and still manage to keep it loving and productive; Darrel’s surprising and charming vulnerability – some people give presents or help and advice (and D. does those, too), but D. gives something rare – his trust, and a bucketful of exuberance to boot (me, Tobie, Darell, “Fun Elementals” and Triple-Headed WonderBeast). There’s Greg, with his unchanging sweetness and kind words; Chris, who just makes you feel better by being near you, like a contact high; Bec with her admirable queen-like traits, who makes you feel good just by noticing you and offering you a cat smile; Kaysha, who is Grace incarnate and constantly offering words or hugs or gifts that make you feel like a hobbit who just gotten the Light of Numenor (or even some really cool rope!); and all the other Geeks too, who go out of their way to make the world a better place for the people they love as well as setting an example for the whole world on how to be yourself, unflinchingly, without regret, and indeed with great pride for being so singular, and great pride in being part of such an amazing and unique collective.

Please, if you read this and aren’t on this list, don’t feel forgotten. There is only so much time today, but I intend to keep doing this. It’s a way to thank you all for your kindnesses, yes, but it’s more for the purpose of pointing out some of the good in this world, of hopefully inspiring everyone to do more, to try harder, and to consciously honor the kind people in your own world, and maybe to just remind myself that there IS good, and there is lots worth living and fighting for.

Phase three – Operation “SAVE CHRISTMAS!” coming up soon!
Much love,
-Sam


*well, as regularly as I ever do ANYthing…