Acts of kindness are love's kindling

I sat on the sofa thinking what to write, and told my husband many of us have a hard time getting going this time of year. That evidently sailed right over him as he said, “Write about getting back to business. Everybody has a hard time with that.”

Last year held its challenges for us — but they mainly turned out good. There was plenty to celebrate, too — including learning we'll be graduating to great-grandparents this spring. I kind of wanted to hang on to 2022 — but time's on the move and you gotta ride the wave. The great grand girl deserves her chance.

I know the Monday night NFL game that got off to a rip roaring beginning — and then slammed the brakes — was a change of New Year perspective for those of us watching. An injured player — CPR out on the field — loading him into an ambulance. I actually woke in the night to check my phone for an update. Critical, sedated — with the added information he'd suffered cardiac arrest.

And right there is the key to making 2023 a year that counts for something more than just dragging through January and February — and any month beyond — like I'm hauling dead weight. Life is not a tractor pull.

On television the announcers were suddenly saying, “This is just a game. Football is nothing — the life of this young player is everything.” Fans went silent — teammates wiped tears — padded knees knelt. The “something more” had entered the stadium.

This life I have can be used up in a hurry one day at a time — the kind of hurry that lasts a lifetime. It happens any given day when I fail to value the good that is in it. The Monday Night Football viewers wanted nothing more in that crisis moment but for the injured player to be granted life.

Why? So he could spend the rest of his years gloomy and complaining and ungrateful. I don't think so. More likely so he could enjoy his life's blessings.

January presents a choice. I'm either going to go for the goodness in my life — or use up the time on all that I think is wrong. Even what's not wrong, but still isn't what I want. It is a choice. I had to make it today.

It's a blow what happened in the NFL game. It's a cold cloudy day. There are a lot of days ahead — I don't know what they hold. It's wearying to think of them. There are some deep needs in the family. My husband deals with disability and physical pain every day.

But then again, Terry and his best friend talked on the phone. I felt grateful for their friendship, hearing him laugh as he only does with this guy. I have a ham bone cooking on the stove. I know how tasty the soup is going to be. The candles I lit this morning were pretty and peaceful. I read an inspirational writing about how the small things we do for each other are like “love's kindling.”

I like that thought, “love's kindling.” Gives me something to act on this year. So much goodness, and it's not even noon yet.