It’s the Little Things…

Last week I learned repeatedly that it’s the little things that make life worthwhile—the impromptu funnies, the momentary pause, the small kindnesses of others.
Helping Ben get established at college last Thursday had been a busy affair fraught with several different lines. But the funniest thing made the entire experience (apart from the amazing campus help, which I must acknowledge:  it was like “High School Musical”—happy volunteers on every corner to help him move in, get connected with groups, and personal visits to welcome him to campus. Wow.)
So we get almost to the head of the last line for his I-card (his ticket to everything on campus life) only to find out that he must change—the school doesn’t allow shorts, even knee-length ones. Shocked, we turn away from said long line knowing this meant walking over campus, driving to his apartment, changing, then returning and praying for parking. As all three of us left the line I had a thought—“Dave, just switch with Ben!” So at the men’s bathroom, Ben comes out swamped in nice pants, while my husband comes out in super tight dark green khaki shorts (that could not be zipped), knee socks, and men’s fine shoes. He looked like Jim Carrey’s “The Grinch” in lederhosen. Ben and I immediately bent over laughing uncontrollably. In fact, we laughed all the way back up the line, and down, and then back to my husband who was waiting in said hall, trying to look inconspicuous in his “lederhosen”. We all agreed that this single act had made the five-hour drive completely worth it.
And I’ve been struck by the little thoughtful things people do. We had a booth this past weekend at our city’s “days”—we live in our own little Mayberry and for this year’s celebration my youngest son was gung-ho about doing a booth. So we had a three-fer—he planned to sell lemonade and cookie flowers (guess who got roped into making those?), my second oldest son would sell his Scripture Strips, and I would sell my books, all for mission money. So the fateful day arrives and though Ethan sat for a whole hour (guess who also manned the booth most of the time?) and gave his best sales pitch, not one person bought those cookie flowers. Now, it could have been—just my gentle suggestion—that he hadn’t made a sign (I wasn’t going to do it all). And the cookie flowers, beautifully poking out of a ceramic flower pot with green grass, looked like table decorations. By the end of the day, he had begun to despair of selling his 18 cookie flowers, as had I. Until 15 minutes before we closed the booth. Then, like angels of mercy, two women approached the booth, one with children. Her kids wanted a flower and she told them no, it was for decoration (aha, the penny drops). I said nay nay, and Ethan explained the deal. She ordered four (paying the full price of fifty cents, though he was willing to discount). The wonderful grandma that had also approached said, “Oh, those are wonderful, I’ll take a dozen.” We about fell over and couldn’t bag them fast enough. And Ethan, spurred by their confidence, went boldly to another booth and sold the last two outright. How I loved these women! And told them so. Their small act of kindness, their sweet encouragement of his venture, gave him the confidence and validation that indeed he could make his way in the world of sales!
Though I could go on, I shan’t. But just to say, I’ve been struck again by the beautiful simplicity of simple deeds and kind words, of enjoying the funny of the moment and making a memory rather than checking off a list. Hopefully today, you can experience a few of each.
Best,
Connie