I could say getting a beautiful bouquet of flowers for no apparent reason, or walking out the back door on a storm day, and finding a friendly neighbor has shoveled your walkway, or some other surprise that is unexpected—those are my favorite loving gestures. Those little or big acts of kindness always put a smile on my face and fill my heart with joy.
However, the older I get, the more I realize I need to
be kind to myself, and every once in a while, do something for myself. But the
reality is almost everything I do on a daily basis is all about me, as I live
alone. So, it is rare when I actually make a concerted effort to be kind to
myself, and splurge on something just for me. And if I’m being honest…it is
usually something I need, not something I would love to have just for the sake
of it.
Having said all that, my favorite loving gesture is when my grandson sends me a text, out of the blue, and says he loves me. That simple message has my heart soaring. Or when my son calls, and says, “Hey, Mom, I’ll be in the area. Let’s go to dinner.”
Or when my Colorado son-in-law texts me, calls me Mom,
and says he loves me. Then we gab back and forth about his day or mine. Or when
my daughter calls just to check in, and fills me in on what my grandsons are up
to. And since I only see them once a year, it is especially nice when the boys,
15 and 17, chime in on the phone to say hello and tell me how school is going.
One loving gesture was something I found out about by
accident a few years ago when I attended my daughter’s wedding. There on their
bookshelf was a pile of my books. And not just one, but several copies of each
book. I found out my son-in-law keeps buying them, and my daughter gives them
away as prizes at her book group. Several of their friends came up to me at the
reception to tell me how much they enjoyed reading my books.
So, I would say my favorite loving gestures are those
that are the most unexpected—sharing my books with others, a quick “I Love You”
text, or an unexpected visit.
What better tokens of affection or friendship as we
celebrate the month of love—February.
What
do you consider a favorite Loving Gesture?
Moonlighting
(in print as part of a collection:
Starlight Grille)
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Moonlighting-Serenity-Harbor-Novella-Starlight-ebook/dp/B075TK7KYS/
Amazon:
(print) Starlight Grille, including Moonlighting
https://www.amazon.com/Starlight-Grille-Serenity-Harbor-Collection-ebook/dp/B07CN8JV2Z/
Books2Read
~
cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~
Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances
and contemporary westerns, from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of
Maine.
Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor
Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of
Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. The Love Left
Behind is a Hartford Estates, R.I. wedding novella. A Christmas
novel (The Inn at Gooseneck Lane) and novella (Holiday Hitchhiker)
were released in late fall 2022. Look for book 3 of the cowboy’s series, as
well as book 2 of the Hartford Estates series, in 2024.
Social Media
Links:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe
/ https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/
10 comments:
Delsora, I loved your take on loving gestures. I agree that those that are unexpected are wonderful. We live far away from some of our family, so I can really relate to the things you said.
Thank you for the lovely post!!!
Delsora, As my great grands live 5 hours away, much closer than Colorado is to you, those unexpected calls are precious. I'm also the recipient of my granddaughter's mother-in-law's unexpected cards with notes written by my great grands along with a few pictures.
I also think doing something special for ourselves beyond the basics is important especially right now as I deal with a major vestibular disorder episode. It's hard for me to stay positive right now. So a special something can brighten my day!
Lovely post! And a great reminder that the smallest efforts are sometimes the ones most appreciated. Like my daughter baking me a gluten-free loaf of bread and a flourless chocolate torte for our Christmas party. And my son making sure the dinner they served us here at our house was made up of things I could eat, except for the cake that was especially for their father.
Love your examples, Delsora. Unexpected gestures mean a lot.
Wonderful blog post!
Sarah, thanks so much for stopping in. Yes, it is hard with family far away. We have to enjoy their "presence" in any way we can - whether in person or over the phone or ZOOM.
Judith - I totally agree. There is nothing like doing something special for yourself, especially when life's challenges descend upon us. Pampering oneself is something we rarely do for ourselves. And we need to think of ourselves every once in a while, so we can keep up the mental and physical strength to care for our loved ones.
Barb - you know that old adage - 'It's the thought that counts.' So, when our loved ones put thoughts into action, it is especially meaningful. We are lucky we have such thoughtful children and other members of our family.
Lynn - so true. Unexpected, sweet gestures are the most meaningful, I think.
Diana - thanks. This topic is certainly one in which one can pour out their heart about the kindness of others.
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