29 days of giving - day 8 - the gift of joy

Paraphrasing the Christmas favorite, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" I hear success for someone special to me!

She has gone through several life changes (some voluntarily, others - not) and she smells of the all important rose.  She has gone through a lot of muck and mire to obtain that sweet smell.  No one I know more deserves it than she.

So, my small gift today was sharing in her joy at a fabulous life change and a new success.

To some, this might not be a gift - to me it is.  Actually she gave the gift to me.  She trusted me enough to share the trials and tribulations that have led to this new direction.  I don't know if we would have shared the moment a couple of years ago.  I'm thrilled we were able to do it now.

My hat is off and the loud, off key cheering you hear from the stadium bleachers is me!

Congratulations.

29 Days of Giving - Day 5 -Joy in the little things

When I went to do a favor for a friend today, I decided that it was a two fold gift.  I am gifting her with peace of mind regarding her vacation home and I gifted my 'old gold' with a car ride and new smells.

Like so many of us, I've gotten jaded about what has value and what is important.


Old gold, also known as a retriever mix who is old and no longer quite so gold as he once was, is a well  seasoned citizen who gets such joy out of the odd car ride, fast food burger, or a brisk sit in a puddle, I've decided to adopt his view point.

Oh and the side benefit?  Stories I wrote and sent for publication over a year ago are going into print very soon and I have been in touch with a client.