Love by Words

Hello fellow Patch readers and writers!

This is my first blog and I am very excited to be writing for the San Ramon Patch. This is a great opportunity for me. I love to write, Im full of ideas and random thoughts and now I have a chance to share them. I am very grateful.

In thinking about my first topic for my first blog, I went back and fourth several times. I will most likely spend the majority of my time writing about fashion (one of my favorite things). However until next time, I have a much more heart felt topic on my mind lately that I would like to share to kick off my new adventure.

The last six months of my life have been, well, a bit of a challenge to be honest. I've had to deal with a lot to learn a lot; and rather than think about specific incidents I choose to make the best out of the worst.

In this journey i've heard the words "I love you" more than I ever have before. Through phone calls, notes, cards, mail, flowers, emails, etc.

I remain moved as all these special gifts continue to roll in and its had me thinking, why does it take something tragic for us to remind people how much we care?

Ever since I was young I've always loved receiving mail and sending mail. I loved finding any excuse as a child to draw a picture or send a card to someone to make them smile.

Now drawing is NOT my strong point so as I got older I stuck to purchased cards, but up until my early 20's I never forgot to send a card or a note of some sort for a birthday, easter, valentines, Christmas, or any other event, big or small.

Then the last few years, I felt like I became a little bit of a slacker in this department. I only sent cards at Christmas.

Although I still never forgot the milestones of my inner circle, I became much more notorious about forgetting to send cards or notes to those I don't necessarily see as often, always being too overwhelmed or not feeling like I had enough time.

I was being spread pretty thin and I was loosing the ability to keep up, and sweet gestures almost felt like more of a chore at times.

My heart felt the love, but something as simple as stopping in the store became painful.

Its quite possible that I felt a little drained and this slacking became the result. However when a life changing event happened to me last November, (4 days before my 30th birthday) I remembered the importance of telling those who you know and care for how you feel with these small gestures, mearly from being on the other side.

(The receiving side that is) Its these small, but significant things that got me through, and still continue to do so. My front door and mantle were full of more love than it had ever seen, and I remembered the importance of how these simple pick-me-ups can turn someone's life around.

Since then I have made more of an effort to become that little girl again who found excitement in surprising others, picturing the other person's delight as they receive a little reminder that they are being thought of and they are cared for.

It is not about the item, the cost, a present, or any monetary value. Its about reminding yourself that life can change in a second and people do not know you love or care for them unless you tell them.

Let your shy side go, find a way that you are comfortable with, but the key is find a way. Its an instant way to make someone's day better, including your own. These simple gestures are life changing. You also do not need to wait for a holiday or a birthday; today is special, too. Since tomorrow is not promised.

I still look back on one special card of many, drawn by the son of one of my friends who is 10 years old.

He drew a picture on a card all by himself of Michael Jackson on the front that read the King of Pop's famous "oooh oooh oooh" and drew his sparkly moon walk shoes too, the whole bit. It made me laugh and cry at the same time.

This card still causes an instant giggle and a smile. An even much bigger one then my shiny new car sitting outside. It really is the small stuff.

Don't wait until tomorrow!