Maybe You’ve Noticed

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Our lives have changed significantly this week. Sometimes it’s hard to see goodness when all feels rather chaotic. However, I have noticed a few things. Maybe you’ve noticed some too. I’ve seen…

• People talking in the parking lots as they wait for grocery stores to open.

• Sounds of children laughing and yelling in delight as they play in their backyards

• Family walks after dinner

• A dad washing his car with his sons

• A family fishing together in the early evening

• Kids making up games in the neighborhood tennis courts

• People smiling as they pass each other in the aisles and checkouts

• Folks asking cashiers and store employees, “how are you holding up?”

• Facebook posts offering to do errands and walk dogs for those who are self-isolating

• Tutors and teachers willing to help parents with homeschooling  

• Neighbors chatting in the driveway and just being neighborly

I’m sure you could add countless observations to this list as well.

It reminds me of a decade or two ago when my children were babies and life seemed a little slower and less in a hurry. Maybe I’m remembering through rose colored glasses, but it sure does seem like folks used to spend a little more time saying, “hello” and striking up small talk. There may not be a whole lot we can do during this time, however, we don’t have to ration our smiles and we can spend some time engaging in small talk. Nothing wrong with a little small talk, might just make someone smile.

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”

Saint Teresa of Calcutta