Let me preface this post by saying I woke up in a complete funk. Sure, there are work pressures. Sure, those people that we refer to as our family don’t do what they’re supposed to do half the time. Sure, everyone is worried about something. But I woke up thinking I have more than a usual amount of crap going on right now. And I knew I wasn’t alone, but I still wanted to wallow in that. Hence the funk.
What I also know is this. I have lots of friends out there in blogland. And they are on my mind as much as my friends that are within hugging distance. And they have a lot of stuff going on right now. Serious health issues. Unemployment. Depression. Anxiety. Parents having surgery. New babies. You name it, someone’s dealing with it. So there you have it. The recipe for a perfect, blue, funk.
But in steps Kate. One of the coolest kids on the ‘net. Smart, funny, sympathetic, empathic, compassionate – you name it. She’s amazing. And she has had way more than her share of funk-inducing ick (it’s a medical term – trust me) lately. And in her usual honest and forthright manner, she has shared it with her readers. So today, when I checked in on her blog to see how she’s doing, imagine my surprise at finding this.
And you know what? I was inspired. I was inspired to put aside every crappy thing I have on my mind. To put off the very nasty but necessary e-mail that I need to write to Miss Priss’ school administrators. To do something significant. To do something beyond the realm of my responsibilities or what people might expect as normal from me.
To pay it forward. To take Kate’s simple yet perfect example of knowing that we are, all of us, part of something bigger, and to do something with that knowledge.
Won’t you join me?
January 27, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Dude, gratitude and charity, in all their guises, are like a miracle drug. AND LEGAL.
January 27, 2009 at 2:03 pm
She’s a champ alright! I’m in.
January 27, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Knitters are awesome.
I haven’t forgotten about the handwarmers, BTW. Just had a crappy deadline yesterday and sat in the festering darkness all day, biting my fingernails.
January 27, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Kate can bring a tear to my eye with just her kind soul! She’s awesome (and a far better knitter than I will ever be).
January 27, 2009 at 7:17 pm
I try to practice paying it forward whenever I see the opportunity. I’m totally in!
January 27, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Hey – I just bought rights to a cuple guacamoleans… JOKE, people), but I think I could always do more.
Now, off to read more of her blog. SHe’s an unknown-as-yet charm.
January 27, 2009 at 11:54 pm
What a wonderful thing to do. Thanks for linking.
January 28, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Awww, shucks.
I was worried, before posting, because the last thing I wanted was to come across as all, “Hey, look at me, I looped a piece of yarn over and over again and then mailed it to a stranger, aren’t I awesome?” I just wanted to share the boost I got, because it made me feel so much better to do it.
Thanks, hon.
January 30, 2009 at 9:23 pm
I love when people do things for no other reason than because it makes them feel good to have done so. Kudos.
And on another note? I appreciate the post in general because you were right. We are all in it together. I think sometimes we lose sight of that when times are tough.
Thank you.