I closed the door and my family gathered around anxiously.  We carefully pulled the covering off the basket to reveal an array of pineapple and chocolate-dipped strawberries artfully situated among spheres of green and orange melons. 

I reached for the card stuck among the tropical morsels and pulled out a note.  It read, “Congratulations on your new business!  Love, Renee”.  Wow.  My heart was instantly torn between hope and humility.  I stood at the cusp of a new venture but completely humbled by the sender’s gracious generosity. 

As I walked into the kitchen, my focus shifted from the beautiful basket.  It turned towards the sender, all sounds and images fading into a fuzzy background.  Renee was my neighbor.  A wife and mom of two young girls who took delight in surprising others with kindness.  She was well-known for showing up at a friend’s doorstep with the very thing needed, just to get a smile.  And, although she lived a handful of houses away, she was currently fighting for her life in a specialty hospital hundreds of miles from our doorsteps.  I considered Renee’s incredible act of kindness towards me, despite her undeniably challenging circumstances, and was blown away.  She was selflessly cherishing my journey – taking joy in me. 

That’s the type of kindness I want to practice more – to get familiar with spreading joy, despite my circumstances.  I want to take my eyes off myself and freely give encouraging words and thoughtful gifts to the people I love.  Is there someone you can celebrate today?  Sometimes just sharing a quick note is all that’s needed to brighten someone’s day!