BIG Little Things

The fact that I am writing a blog regularly is amazing. I am a pretty private person, your classic introvert.  In my career, I have learned to speak up more to have a voice, but deep down I am an introvert to the core.

I also don’t write much about my family to respect their right to privacy. So I am going to break my rule a bit. I adore my parents. They are my best friends and do so many “little” things that are so BIG to me. They take care of the dogs when I travel, check on them when I have a long day or even when I don’t.

My Dad checked on the dogs this week. When my Mom called about their new dishwasher being delivered, he went back home. Since he didn’t feel like he spent enough time with them, they both drove back a few hours later to hang out with the girls. While at the house, he got gas for the lawn mower so I was ready for the first lawn cut, oxygenated gas too since that’s better for the lawn mower. (Only a Dad would know that.)

On Sunday, he checked the oil in my car and air in the tires. It comes natural to them and they don’t think it’s a big deal – apart of being family. All without asking, all without expecting anything in return. These are just a few of their quiet generous acts. It’s the little generosities that lighten our load and make the journey so much easier.

So two lessons from my best friends: 1) Life is found in the midst of the little things, the seemingly small generosities we can extend to each other when we think outside ourselves and don’t count. 2) If your parents are still alive, call them and tell them you love them. If you’re upset about something from years past, let it go and move on.  Ask someone whose parents are gone and they would give the same advice.