Dream Small

     I have a cute little song on my playlist called Dream Small by Josh Wilson.  My youngest daughter sent it to me a while back.  It's about the little things we can do right where we are.

    I thought of it the other day when she sent me a picture of herself. She just had all her long, thick hair cut off to donate to cancer patients for wigs. This is the third time she has donated, fulfilling a promise she made to herself at twelve years old. 

     I am so stinkin' proud of her! 

    I would follow her example, but no one would want my sad hairs for themselves!  

There are other small things I can do...make soup, for instance, for someone who's sick. Every time I go to a cancer ward there are blankets and booties and hats knit and crocheted by busy hands and waiting hearts. Small things. 

    Gandalf the Grey famously said:

"Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I have found that it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love."

    I think of a young man I know who stayed home with his children since currently his place of employment is closed.  Not because he can't work elsewhere, but because his sweet little girl has allergies, and it is best for her at home.

    He isn't a bum or a loser, he's amazing. Fighting his own hard battles while protecting the young, isn't that what warriors do? His young wife has picked up the task of breadwinner - also courageous!

I'm pretty sure this is an everyday, common, occurrence these days. But I see it as Courage.   

    I know a young couple who are raising their nieces and nephews quietly and without fanfare stepping in and giving them a loving safe home. Beautiful. 

 I know there are so many similar stories. Quiet heroes... living legends of kindness. 

 Grandparents, neighbors, countrymen: ordinary folk.

 I know a high school kid who lived in the basement and took care of his siblings during Covid. His mom was a nurse, on the frontlines at that time and so had to isolate herself to provide for them. 

Courage. 

Crazy amazing courage. 

He was alone a lot, fought through the dark, and won - told his demons to back off because he was responsible.

    In the world scheme of things, only about two people knew about this. Or cared. But I find it wonderful. 

    Awesome!

    Impressive. 

    And I was proud of him too!

    I know there are other kinds of people. Mean. Rude. Careless. Bad, even. But I love the stories I find of the people who don't know they're heroes, who do extraordinary things every day. 

    If you need encouragement today, look around. Listen. You'll find great deeds happening! Steady, undramatic, salt-of-the-earth folks, living with honor and keeping their word. 

    I don't want to be polarized by age, 

generational differences, 

politics (Oh, dear Lord!) 

sports, religion, 

spelling, or math! 

I want to see sparks of light, 

catch a stranger's eye and smile, 

and notice the good, great, and courageous

 people around me!

    I also dream big, and I should! There are so many 

things I still need to do! But on the way to great things...

Do small things with great love.

💖Susie