simple acts

Several years ago my wife came up with the idea of making small "May Flower Baskets" and taking them to the nursing home residents of our church.  The first year I think she made 6 but the word soon spread as to how meaningful these viists and small gifts were to each who received them.  The next year her number grew to include nursing home and skilled nursing residents.  The year after that the number grew to include our "home bound" residents as well.  With each year's "gesture of love" her fame was spreading...

Well this year her number grew to 36.  She was actually unable to deliver them all on the 1st day of May, which had been her usual practice; so she recruited me and our daughter, Beth, to assist with her deliveries.  So this year, Beth and I too shared in the joy which was expressed by the recipients as we delivered these small expressions of love.

For me, this experience was an important reminder:  It doesn't take an expensive gift or an elaborate effort to bring joy to another person..  Sometime, just a little bit of our time and simple gift is all it takes to let someone know they are remembered and that there are people who love them.

May 1st is really May Day, but I would suggest that with Mother's Day, high school and college graduations, and of course, Memorial weekend still coming; there are plenty of opportunities left in the month of May to share some love and joy.  You may never know how much your simple acts of kindness may mean to one who is lonely and needs a friend.