Devon

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - I’m sorry, my wonderful Devon. Sorry that you and your sweet family are on this journey. You have creative vision, a tender heart and an unquenchable spirit of generosity; in short, you are the most rare of gems. Every word you say, that you write, that you express; they are all words with more meaning and thought behind them than anyone else I’ve ever met.

When we met, we were preparing to ride on a float for a parade. Two strangers - connected by social media, breast cancer and a superfantastic handbag company. When I left Pasadena, I knew that you and your family would always be a part of my heart. You convinced me that surgical scars are not who we are, but just a small part of what we have done. In your mind, scars are beauty marks that indicate life, survival, power through grace. 

You, dear Devon, are the embodiment of power through grace. Those tumors are just another blip you will chalk up to survival, my friend. I hate cancer. I hate that you have this happening right now. But I love you, and your whole family. Happy birthday, my Devon. My prayer is that I get to say happy birthday to you about 40 or 50 more times. xoxo

Photo credit: Catherine Money

Friends

WARSAW, INDIANA - But really could be anywhere on the planet, actually. This is just a quick little acknowledgment to those of you who go out of your way to just make someone else feel comfortable. To you who can relay security and empathy with just a simple hug. Taking the time to let a struggling friend know that they matter, they count, they are valued.

As I find myself at the beginning of my travel season, I am often in the world of social media just to feel connected. The amount of people offering virtual support to one another is quite moving. Words of compassion and kindness come from all parts of the planet to embrace someone struggling with divorce, illness, work woes, the list is endless.

So to you who take the time today to offer a random act of kindness, thank you. I hope it returns to you tenfold.

Photo courtesy of Tami Bailey