Bright Spots in My Day

These are two of my most favorite volunteers at Palmetto Health Baptist. I love these ladies. They show up every Wednesday afternoon to greet visitors and staff at the entrance to the Taylor Street Crosswalk. Can't tell you their names, but they are so bubbly and cheerful that my day gets brighter just seeing them roll in.

They also brighten up their workspace...literally. They bring boxes of stuff faithfully every week, and they decorate their space. It stays there with them for the 2 or so hours that they volunteer then they pack it all back up and go home. If it's around the holidays then the decorations take on the holiday theme. If not, then the decorations are more generic. Believe it or not, this was of one of their less elaborate displays. They also leave hard candies out for staff and visitors to sample on the way in or out of the hospital. I love them for their enthusiasm and for taking the time to make the hospital a little more "homey".

When I took these photos a couple of weeks ago, it made me stop and think that I have "lots of bright spots" in my days. Some are a routine part of my day, and some happen only occasionally. I'll take them as often as I can get them. These are just a few...

*the sound of Mama's voice answering the phone when I call to tell her I'm on the way home.
*my faithful 14 year old lab, Maggie, waiting for me at the back steps every morning so that she can get her "treat"...though it's really arthritis medicine wrapped up in a thin slice of roast beef
*a call from my friend, Yvonne...her bubbly voice makes me smile
*an unexpected card from Irene...who always seems to know when I need one
*any time spent with my friends Ann and Myriam...who have adopted me and Mom into their families and from whom I have learned so much about being a better person and rising to the occasion
*seeing my cousin, Chris, riding his John Deer...his love of tractors reminds me so much of my dad
*a new edition of Creating Keepsakes magazine in the mail
*my kitty, Oliver, hopping up on my lap to bump noses with me
*chit-chatting across the table with Judy at the Stamping Place
*watching our newest kitty, Calvin (aka "Cally-bug") chasing anything that flies
*seeing a field of yellow milkweeds or Queen Anne's lace along the side of the road ...I know they are weeds, but I love them anyway
*the guy at the drive-through window at Chapin McDonalds who always takes the time to wipe off the outside of my diet Coke cup so my cup holder doesn't get sticky
*getting Orlando as our waiter when we go to eat Mexican with "the boys" - he is such a sweetie
*the parking attendant at the hospital who waves to me every morning and who always stops to chat for a second when I see him inside
*an update from my friend, Tanya...especially when she has good news to tell me
*"Salt Therapy" with the gang.....you guys, it's been too long since we did this
*a nap in the recliner on Saturday or Sunday afternoon
*seeing any post on Facebook by my old high school friend, Jimmy...he is so funny!
*a visit to our neighbors' commercial greenhouses...especially at Christmas when they have millions of poinsettias or in April/May when geranium baskets are everywhere
*the first tomato of the summer...especially when it comes from Ms. Evelyn's garden
*a homemade roll from Aunt Sylvia or Aunt Fannie's milk gravy or a piece of coconut cake made by Aunt Dot or Aunt Mary...yummy!

That's just a few of the many. Here's to bright spots...what would I do without them!

As a postnote to my previous blog entry: If you prayed for little Katie Staub, I thank you so much. Last I heard, Katie was transferred to a rehab facility and is slowly recovering from her ordeal. God is good.