The Holidays are and the stresses are on: preparing the food; planning the party; figuring out the gifts and how to afford them.   It is easy to get  caught up in your own world. That is why it is so memorable when someone takes the time to be kind to a stranger. They are still paying attention to others that might be in need. the kindnesses I have seen latley have prompted me to encourage others to be kind. 

They were just small gestures from big schedules. I would like to say thank you to the man who let me go in front of him at the post ofice because I was in a hurry and just needed to buy stamps, and to the man who rushed over to help me carrry packages and  to the driver who let me in when I got stuck in the wrong lane of traffic. When the holiday season is over and somehow everything has been accomplished, these are the simple gifts I will remember. The memories of rushing and choosing and what was given will fade, but these thoughts that made my day a little brighter and hopeful, will stay.

So while doing what needs to be done for you and yours, don't forget to take small moments to look around and see what might be done to make a strangers day a little easier. As the man who helped me said, "It's no big deal, we are just neighbors trying to get along." Be kind, why not? Then the true spirit of the season will make that stressful burdens a little lighter.