Are you ok? Am I ok? Nope.
Small gestures
This Valentine’s Day I got my husband and youngest daughter (the other doesn’t live at home full time because she is a college student) Valentine’s goody bags. Candy and practical items filled my daughter’s bag—she’s always stealing my chapstick, hair gel, hand cream or sending Amazon requests for pimple patches, face masks, or eye glass wipes. My husband’s was simply three of his favorite candies and a card. Both were surprised because I generally don’t make a big deal out of Valentine’s Day. My husband will get a funny card from me that features two cute, little animals personified into middle-agers sitting on a couch and enjoying a TV show or something like that. And, as for my daughter, I haven’t bought her a Valentine’s since she was at the age where we couldn’t leave even a Walgreens without her begging me for a stuffed animal that she had, some how, become attached to in the less than 5 minutes that we were there.
So why this year? My daughter was so shocked that she asked me if I am ok.
I am not.
I’m not ok for obvious reasons and for less obvious reasons (husband was laid off in October and is still looking for a new job, my dad died in ‘23 and then we had to go into a legal battle with my former stepmonster stepmother finally ended in Nov ‘24, there’s been health problems and family problems on and on).
Giving them these silly/practical/delicious treats made me feel good and hopeful. This is the way I’m coping. Small gestures for people I love and for myself: Crawling into bed with a book in the middle of the day if I’m not at work. Taking a walk with my husband (only when the sun is out and thats pretty inconsistent lately). Staying in bed a little later to let my cat sprawl over me while I give him morning pets. Even, marketing my new book is a small act of hope. Surprisingly, doing this, though not always fruitful, is a small gesture to myself that I still exist and I still matter and I’m still here and the world is still turning.
Inspiring. And yes, the power of seemingly little things! Wonderful examples, and great description.