[2022-11-13] World Kindness Day
It was World Kindness Day today, a day that celebrates kindness to others.
In truth, today was about kindness to myself.
This morning, I went for a walk at the Bruce Pit dog park with my husband and daughter. I used to say that Bruce Pit was my favourite place in the world. That was certainly true when we had Freddie and he was healthy enough to go to the park. We hadn't visited the park much in the last couple of years of Freddie's life given his mobility challenges. I still remember the day, a few years ago, when we took Freddie to Bruce Pit to see his old friend, Buster, a beautiful chocolate lab. It was to be Buster's last day on this earth. Freddie and Buster were too weak to play but not too old to recognize each other. If they had been able to talk, they would have recalled their many adventures together at Bruce Pit—running, wrestling and occasionally frolicking in a small pond that I dubbed "the doggie spa."
It's been rejuvenating to rediscover the park in the last few weeks. Aside from enjoying the company of my family members, I love seeing all the dogs: the intense Border Collies, the goofy Doodles, the imposing Irish Wolfhounds, the meandering Newfies, the speedy Whippets, the friendly Golden Retrievers, the playful Labrador Retrievers, the shuffling Corgis, the leaning Bernese Mountain Dogs, the doe-eyed Springer Spaniels, the soft-coated Portuguese Water Dogs. We often stop to greet the dogs and talk to their owners. We hear about rescues from Nunavut, and mixes whose lineage is a mystery, and puppies who—like Freddie and Buster—became fast friends and turned their respective owners into friends as well. It is a sincere kindness that so many dog owners extend to us, letting us pet their puppies, hear their stories, and slow down their walks because we want to say hello.
After lunch, I did another kind thing for myself: I put up my Christmas tree. I figure that it takes the same amount of time to decorate for the holidays—whether those decorations are up for a few weeks or a few months—so why not get the most out of the effort. With Halloween and Remembrance Day in the past and the cold weather firmly in place, it seemed like a perfect day to put up the tree.
Christmas decorations evoke so many memories as I take out and place arrangements that I bought when I was single, ornaments that I gave the kids when they were small, a garland that my sister-in-law made for me years ago and a decoration that my sister made for me just last year. There's something very comforting about taking these treasures out once a year and putting them up where they can be enjoyed for a few months. It's this limited exposure that makes them feel special.
As I put up the decorations, I listened to a Christmas playlist that Chris and I had collaborated on last year: I love the smooth voice of Nat King Cole, the soothing harmonies of children's choirs, the jubilant piano of Vince Guaraldi, playing music from A Charlie Brown Christmas. I like holiday music, though in limited doses.
And what would a day of kindness be without good food: muffins bursting with fresh blueberries for breakfast, a crunchy Greek salad for lunch, and a warm bowl of corn and potato chowder for supper with cheddar and pepper scones. All homemade, of course.
The final kindness I enjoyed today was feedback that my story and blog make a difference. One person wrote to say that the energy and optimism I showed in an interview inspired him and his wife to do some things around the house that they had been postponing. Another friend shared a beautiful memory that yesterday's post had evoked, adding that she often shares my articles with her family and friends. She said, "you give gifts to many people this way and every day!"
So perhaps as I sit here writing, with the clock well past 10:00 PM, I needn't worry that I didn't do anything special for someone else on World Kindness Day. I took care of myself and my family, and I wrote this post. That's enough.
Take care of yourself. Make memories. Cherish all that is good in your life.
