When a recipe calls for a little heat, it doesn't take much to change it up. It only requires a few red pepper flakes to make a difference.
When I was growing up, my dad would say the same thing, "it doesn't take much Jean." Most of the time he was referring to his baby sister, my Aunt Margaret. She lived her entire life as the daughter who never left home. My grandfather died early and Margaret was destined to live a fairly simple life with her mother, my "Granny Cameron." If ever a man was interested in courting Margaret, Granny quickly squashed any notion. Margaret retired from the Murdoch Center, a residential campus providing services and support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It was there she stamped, sorted, and collated mail for the Center for 44 years and ten months.
When Granny died, Margaret was alone. At the time, I was in my 20's living in Del Mar California. And yes, I was living large, had big hair, a great job, wonderful friends and I drove a fast sexy car. Okay, it was the 80's and life was good. So getting back to my dad...He would call me and say,"it doesn't take much Jean." Call your Aunt Margaret. Let her know that you are thinking of her. You don't have to talk long, but call often. Here I am thinking...what could I possibly have to talk about with my"old maid" aunt?...we hardly know each other. I was wrong...we had everything to talk about.
Fast forward to 2021 and a few weeks ago. Out of the blue, I sat down and decided to write a letter to Tracy K. She is someone I consider more than acquaintance and yet, I don't know her well and we have never called each other to"chit chat." Looking through my lens, Tracy K has a full life; a wonderful husband, successful adult children, and a high powered job with Microsoft that comes with a great deal of responsibility. Even with all "that" the voice in my ear prompted me to write her. Lo and behold, this super busy woman wrote ME back...and I am talking about a three page handwritten note. I felt like had hit the lottery! Tracy's first words were," I have been feeling lonely and getting your note meant so much." I was floored. Her lonely? and yet, I understood.
About the same time, I was on the receiving end. Marian M., a friend I met playing Pickleball in Tennessee, texted me to see if hubby and I were enjoying our winter home in California. I soon realized it was now Thanksgiving, weeks had gone by, and I hadn't responded to her text. I picked up the phone and called her. I don't know who got more from of our conversation, her or me. Marion said I made her Thanksgiving. Really? What I do know is my heart felt full to the point of overflowing.
As my dad would say, "it doesn't take much." Marian and Tracy reminded me while my actions might seem small and insignificant to me, it is not what I think, it is what others feel. And being the Hallmark in someone else's day feels damn good.
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