Thoughtfulness on Paper

Yesterday, I got a packet in the mail from the young people at our church’s school. I get one every year about this time, just before Valentine’s Day. It never fails to cheer me. Inside the brown envelope are small, hand-made Valentines. The children have written small notes of encouragement, and they include Bible verses. It brightens my day.

As I get older, it’s the small things that matter. As the song goes, Little Things Mean a Lot. It’s very nice to get chocolates and flowers too, of course, but it doesn’t take much to make the sun shine a little brighter.

And, an added boost was the encouraging email I got from a reader yesterday. She had just read The Cemetery Club, the first Darcy and Flora book. She enjoyed it so much, she plans to read the other cozies too. Now, wasn’t that a neat thing for her to do–to take time from her busy day to send a note.

I’m reminded that I too should do my part in expressing kindness, thoughtfulness, and love. Sometimes, in the rush and responsibilities of every day living, the small touches are forgotten. But, they don’t have to be. No matter how busy I am, I should remember that it takes only a moment to make a phone call, to help someone with a burden, to whisper a prayer. And, to tell the people I love that I love them. It doesn’t always have to be said with words. It can be with actions and it’s the small things that are always remembered.

Drawings by Nathan Manos

My grandson likes to draw and is quite good at it. I treasure the pictures he and my granddaughter have made for me through the years. They adorn my refrigerator and walls; they are in scrapbooks. I thought you might like to see a couple. 

This Valentine’s Day, let’s all give the gift of thoughtfulness. It doesn’t cost anything and the results are priceless.