Today is my hubby's birthday and I was struck again by the joy we can all bring to others just by the little things we do.
My hubby is not a morning person. He comes to life when the clock strikes 10 p.m.! Getting up in the morning is not one of his favourite activities. But he also loves a great cup of coffee. If there is anything that can get him up in the morning, (nagging has never worked with him GRIN) it's the wafting waves of java drifting towards the bedroom.
Many years ago, I discovered the secret to enticing him to get up... I just bring him a cup of freshly brewed coffee and wave it under his nose. It's actually become my secret weapon for getting him up on time for work during the week or playtime on the weekends...LOL.
This morning I added a little surprise to his coffee cup... a helium balloon with Happy Birthday on it, tied to the handle. I placed it on his nightstand, gave him a quick peck on the cheek and went rushing off to the livingroom for the next part of the "birthday surprise".
I heard a big chuckle coming from under the covers. He was awake and had discovered the balloon. That was my cue!
For the past year, I have been taking piano lessons to bring my "tinkling on the ivories" up to a new level. I will never get to Carnegie Hall... but that is not my ambition. I just want to play the songs I like and have them sound like something other than a third grader banging away on the keys producing noise! And this morning was my day to shine.
For the past couple of weeks, I have been diligently practicing "Happy Birthday". Now that might sound rather mundane... but the difference is I have set the tune to a "jazz rendition"... did I happen to mention that I like jazz???... and this morning was the debut of my piece as a birthday surprise.
Well I have to admit that I didn't get through the whole thing perfectly but the clapping and cheering from the bedroom at the end of my "mini concert" made up for a few little mistakes along the way. He was totally delighted. The grin on his face and the big "thank you" hug when he came into the livingroom was just the icing on the... uhh... birthday cake.
A happy man walked out the door this morning humming Happy Birthday and licking his lips. The smell of his favourite birthday cake... Amaretto Cheesecake... tickling his nostils, baking its way to perfection in the oven brought a BIG smile to his face!
Yep, it's the little things that money can't buy that often bring the greatest joy not only to the receiver but the giver too!
I think we can all get caught up in day to day life and forget how important it is to let people know we care about them through our actions and the little things we can do. Here's a favourite little poem of mine that I'd like to share with you today called "Before It is Too Late" by Frank Herbert Sweet.
"If you have a tender message,Or a loving word to say,
Do not wait till you forget it,But whisper it today.
The tender word, unspoken,The letter never sent,
The long forgotten messages,The wealth of love unspent:
For these some hearts are breaking,
For these some loved ones wait;
So show them that you care for them.
Before it is too late."
Go spread some love in the world today... do something little for someone you care about. I can guarantee that it will make a difference to YOUR day!
Sharon