Tiny tots and grandmas too....

This morning, the Columbus Metro Park's Winter Hike Series began (http://www.metroparks.net/UserUploads/UserDocuments/Winter-Hikes-2010-schedule-rfs.pdf). A newbie, I pulled into Blacklick park a bit before ten and immediately knew that this "event" was unlike any other "hike" I'd been part of. There was a line of cars waiting to park. The lots were marked with three foot florescent yellow signs and I have never seen so many Rangers and Volunteers... ever... anywhere...

I literally laughed outloud and pulled into line. When I passed the Ranger standing in the road, I too rolled down my window and received a map and instructions. With a shake of my head and a grin, I parked my car. I tried to find the "guided" four mile hike but no one seemed to know where that group was. So, I decided to head out on the self guided path.

Hiking solo in a deserted park is not odd; I do not find it lonely. However, hiking alone when most people are with others... that is a different matter. I was hiking rather fast, as I was not wearing an extra layer under my jeans and I find it feels rude to walk too close to couples. (It makes me feel as if I am eavesdropping.) I passed several groups, wishing them a good morning as I did. About ten minutes in, I fell in step with an older woman, who was also hiking by herself. We started chatting and hiked the rest of the path together.

Back at the lodge, Volunteers handed out soup and big containers of hot water stood ready. I happily made myself a cup of instant coffee and snapped a picture of the turtles that stood, snow covered, outside. Bitty toddlers in snowsuits held parents' hands... the crowd was a friendly bunch. I smiled at the hikers who had patches covering their gear from amazing places. Someday... someday... that will be, God willing, me...

The world is a lovely place. Each day a new experience... new people to meet... new places to go... wonders to explore...

Even within our daily routines, there are bits of joy to find... the discovery by my eldest and I that anteaters ride their mother's backs... the happy greeting posted by a fellow hiker on my meetup profile... Good people... a beautiful world... pretty scarves... snow covered turtles... laughter shared between strangers...

Yes... I give thanks... We are blessed...

Kindness

Just a moment ago,
I got a message
from someone who enjoys my blog.
It made me pause
and contemplate once again
how I feel about all of you.
I have a "statcounter" that lets me know
how many people visit my site
and the city and country they are from.
Because of this,
I know when a wonderful blogger
from Canada reads my site
and when a dear college friend
catches up on my mischief.
However,
most of the stats,
I am unable to put a face to.
Despite the fact
that I do not know most of your names,
I feel a deep kinship with you.
You see,
I know that like me,
you are walking this road we call, "life".
And I'm counting on the fact
that you are puzzled at times,
just as I am.
I am glad you are here
as I try to make sense of it all.
Your very presence
helps me try to remember what I know is true
and to let go of the "nonsense"
that just feels true in the moments of crisis,
temptation
or loneliness.

So tonight,
I just want to thank you.
You are a sincere blessing to me.
May your tonight,
your tomorrow,
your always...
be a blessed and beautiful adventure.

Kindness

Librarians...

so much has been said about them.

Portrayed as dedicated,

often mousy bookworms.

Yet,

in truth,

they are the unsung heroes of so many.

The kind person helping a child find resources,

when they have no one else.

The one leading the local ESL classes,

passing on English literacy.

The ones who smile and greet everyone

regardless of what they look like or who they are.

My library is full of such people.

Like the quiet seemingly stern woman

who gave me an interview

when I was in a Children's Literature class getting my license.

...Sharing, with me,

for about an hour,

the wonders that the library could offer me.

You and I both know

she had plenty of work to keep her busy...

yet she took the time.

Yesterday I met two more such librarians..

They spotted my crate of books and inquired...

then offered me an educator's card on the spot...

There was no reason for the them to go out of their way,

to ask me why I had so many books.

...no reason for them to offer me a card...

....no reason for either one of them to just enter in the information into the computer when they could not find a form.

I am grateful they did.

...their actions were a blessing.

Aren't kind and generous people wonderful?

Kindness from strangers

Standing before the fish early in the morning, I noticed that the koi food machine still had some food left.


I silently wished that I'd thought to pick up a quarter or two from the car change dish.


Just as I was thinking this, a mother with two beautiful teenage daughters gave my girls a giant scoop of their food before they walked away.


Thanking them profusely, my girls happily fed the colorful swimming vacuum cleaners!


Isn't the world a lovely place?