Article by Wendy McCance
The last couple of posts have been about taking care of yourself and others and how the world has become so technically advanced that we aren’t stopping to enjoy a moment the same way we used to way back when. I thought it would be a perfect time to write a post about showing your love, care and support to those who are dear to you the old-fashioned way.
Sometimes the most simple of gestures are the gestures that resonate the most with us. Below is a list of 7 ideas of things you can do to make someone’s day.
1. Call someone you haven’t spoken with in a while. Texting and email are the ways we seem to communicate most these days. It’s amazing what a good feeling it is to hear a friend’s voice and to know that they put aside some time because they wanted to speak with you.
2. Send a letter or postcard just for fun. I remember being young and having a friend who lived a long ways off. We made great pen pals and would write a letter back as soon as we got one. The best part was we would put a surprise inside. A sticker, a cute eraser, a picture etc… just something to make the whole experience even more memorable.
3. Bake cookies or cupcakes or a fresh loaf of bread. It really doesn’t matter what it is as long as you know it’s something your friend would enjoy. You can put your baked goods in a great container and wrap it up. There is nothing better than getting an unexpected package full of good things to eat.
4. With the weather getting nicer, it is the perfect time to go on a walk or bike ride. It’s a great way to catch up and get the dreaded excercise in at the same time.
5. Share your garden. I have many times had friends over to shop our garden. They would get a portion of some flowers they loved so that they could plant them in their own garden. I have had flowers from my mom and my mother-in-law in my yard. It’s a wonderful feeling to look at these plants and know where they came from.
6. Offer to watch the kids so that your friend can get out and just breath for a bit. Everyone can use a break from time to time. To get an unexpected offer just makes you feel cared for and thought of.
7. One of my favorite ways to catch up when everyone is busy and there doesn’t seem to be much time is to share dinner. I have a friend who worked a bit later than me. I would get dinner going (usually something easy like spaghetti and garlic bread) and she would bring the salad and dessert. The kids would have dinner, do homework and get a chance to socialize. It felt like a break for me and my friend because dinner was easy, the kids worked together getting school work done and we got a chance to catch up.
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Wendy McCance
To contact Wendy McCance about a writing assignment, interview or speaking engagement, please email her at: [email protected]
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Thanks! I’ve never been great at keeping up!
So strange, I just got finished reading your blog and when I went back to mine, your comment was there. I’m glad you liked the latest post. Thanks.
I thought the same thing when I noticed! Being mind-twins with me is a dangerous thing, and for that I apologize :p
Wonderful thoughts, these! In fact, just yesterday, I stopped what I was doing and wrote a 4 page letter to a friend in England, telling him that it looks unlikely that I will be able to be with him for his 85th birthday in late June. I’ve been there 3 out of the last 4 years. In truth, part of the reason the letter was 4 pages was that I put it in 16 point type. His eyesight isn’t so good any more. I try to perform a random act of aloha every day. The key word there was “try.” Sometimes my random act of aloha is just fixing my husband dinner when I didn’t really feel like it. But I try…..
Kay in Hawaii
Love this.
Great list Wendy!
It’s so easy to get caught up in your own busy life…thanks for the reminder.
Hello Wendy, is a pleasure to be posting my comment here on your Blog.
Nothing like having friends is a pleasure to welcome you in our house. Cultivating friendship is a talent.
Says in the Bible (Word of God). “Who finds a friend finds a treasure”
I loved your tips. You are a very sensitive and perceptive person.
These values??, which you mentioned, we can not lose them.
(Perdoe os erros eu ainda estou a estudar o ingles)
I’m so glad you are enjoying the blog. Thank you so much for your comment.
I love your list. You are so right, it is the simple things that make the greatest impact in our lives. It is all about taking time to share of ourselves.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
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