I could talk all day about the beautiful flowering trees we walked past today. I could expound forever on the spring blossoms and scent of lilacs in May. I could tell stories about how my mother loved lilies of the valley so much that she picked nearly all of them in my garden, because it was her birthday, after all.
But instead, I would like to take a minute to acknowledge kindness. I feel that, over the years, each of us has been the recipient of kindness from every other member of TPW. Sometimes it is just a pat on the shoulder, a word or a smile that says it all. Sometimes, it is the willingness to match pace with someone who is walking a bit slower than usual. Sometimes it is a phone call or visit to someone who is not well or having difficulties. Sometimes it is telling another person that she has done a good job or encouraging another walker to keep going. Best of all, I am sure that the person who has done something kind may not even be aware that she has done it. It seems that random acts of kindness are habit forming. I know this because when I most need it, and perhaps when I least expect it, a fellow walker has made an effort to be kind to me and has brought some light to the day. We are a remarkable group. And we deserve all the flowering trees we can find!
