The Little Surprises in Life: By Ryan Schwertfeger
So we all survived Hurricane/Superstorm/Frankenstorm Sandy this past Monday and Tuesday. While some of us have power and heat, there are many who sadly do not. But whether you have the now “luxury” conveniences or not, nobody can argue that the mercury is dropping and it’s time to take out those winter coats, hats, and gloves.
In doing so, I hope you will encounter that yearly cold season phenomenon in which you put on that heavy jacket and hear or feel something in the plethora of pockets your probably have. Whether it is a jingling sound, something oddly shaped, or throat lozenges, just about everybody finds something in a winter coat pocket. For me, I always encounter two tubes of Blistex or Chapstick, some tissues, loose change that’s a few ounces heavy, and pens…yes, bank pens.
Sometimes I’m lucky and find loose bills. This was money that came from somewhere, when I was buying something that ended up being shoved down a side or chest pocket. I always stop for a moment and think about why the money is there, why I put in the jacket pocket and not in my wallet, but then I decide it isn’t worth it to try and remember…I have money I completely forgot I had! Yippee! So when this nice surprise does occur, I always think about what to do with this old, yet newfound money. Save it? Spend it? Leave it where it is and decide what to do with it next year? Decisions, decisions…
I encourage you to look through your own pockets as the weather gets colder and comment below on what you find in your own jacket pockets. And especially now with another storm headed our way, you know you’ll need that jacket anyway, so just take a look and let me know.
In addition to what you find in your winter coat, may I suggest that you not only be surprised with what you find for yourself, but you take a little bit of time to also surprise someone else. There are many who may need a winter coat, a warm meal, or just some comfort after losing their home, losing their power for an extended period of time, or for some, unfortunately losing a relative or family member. There are many organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army that are looking for financial assistance and donations of food, clothing, or household goods; and I’m sure there are many in your own neighborhood that probably could use some help. I encourage you to make your neighbor’s day and show up at their doorstep with a meal, an invitation to sleep over, or just knock on their door and talk with them about how they are doing and what the past few days have been like.
You never know about what little thing can make your, or another person’s day. It’s just those little surprises in life that can make one day so much better than another.