Day 2-84 -- Surprising Reciprocity

This evening brought a major surprise. No -- it wasn't an unexpected weather event <smile>. It was a good surprise.  The phone rang with call display saying 'unknown name', which I generally just let go. In this case, the number was from my home town but wasn't a familiar number. I answered hesitantly only to hear the voice of a family friend and former teacher of mine. He is one of those favourite teachers. He'd called to thank me for a letter I wrote a while back that explained the major role he'd played in my life. There had been a health issue on his end and I wanted him to know how important he had been and still was to former students and -- dare I say -- friends. He admitted to reading the letter until it was pretty much worn out. That took me by surprise -- that I had been able to reciprocate in some small way.

There are many people who have helped me to be the person I am today. I know I haven't let them all know the parts they played. I should. Something as small as a letter helped someone to get through the rough days of recuperating. A short phone call helped me to see that my thoughts had helped, completing a circle -- that never-ending circle. This may be the basis of the pay it forward movement, where that circle actually becomes a spiral moving through the lives of many people. Interesting. We should all strive to share the importance of others with those others. We never know when some small message will provide needed strength. .

I'm still processing this one, but it was an amazing way to end the day. A number of songs came to mind, but I settled on one with amazing lyrics that stress that social support we can each provide for others. By definition though, social support should be reciprocal. So, let's not forget to share the caring we receive with others. Enjoy!

Count on Me -- Whitney Housont & CeCe Winans