happy post

I know that sometimes I can be overwrought so I thought I'd post something positive today.  Witness ^ exhibit A: gaudy pencil case from the Philippines.

There's an elderly Filipino man I work with and he's one of my favorites--he's really old and small and works in the garden.  He comes up to people and blinks heavily and smiles at them.  He's Filipino with blue eyes!  Just one of those old people who makes you say "aww, adorable!" the way a baby would.

He recently went to the Philippines and this was part of his pasalubong (souvenir) for me.  A weird, kind of ugly little pencil case.  That and a little wooden bracelet that says "HAWAII."  He put it on my wrist and I was kind of overwhelmed.  Such kindness!  I haven't been working at this place for too long or anything, yet when he went on his trip he remembered me when he was shopping for people at work.

When people go out of their way for me, when they remember me, when they are kind, it touches me so!  I definitely notice and appreciate even the smallest gestures from people.  Things like this remind me: I am loved.  I get embroiled in self-pity so often, but every once in a while I realize how good my life has been.  I have most everything I need and even want. 

Sometimes I wonder... who am I to have been given so much by so many people? (Because really, I have.)  I don't believe in karma at all, but I do kind of think it has something to do with this concept: give, and (sometimes) the world gives back to you.  I try my absolute best to be a giving person. Often I feel under-appreciated and taken for granted...but sometimes, sometimes something small but life-affirming will happen and I realize what a lucky girl I've really been.