Posts: 1,437
12/5/12 11:28 A

A few years ago our school held a talent contest - a spoof on American Idol where 3 teachers "played" the judges and the students could "compete" - there were no winners or losers, the whole thing was meant to be fun - lots of air bands, dancers etc. Only 2 people actually got up and really performed. One of them was a girl in grade 6 - she sang a beautiful song, except she forgot the words shortly after beginning. We've probably all been somewhere where we hear that deafening silence, that moment which is an eternity. My heart broke for her (I'm actually holding back tears remembering). I know what would have happened in my school - there would have been tittering, breaking out into laughter. But I got the surprise of a life time.

The judges stopped the music and asked her if she'd like to start again. She bravely nodded yes. We could all see how red her face was, tears in her eyes. And then it happened, the students began to clap in rhythm and call her name. When she started every last one of them started to do the wave. They cheered and clapped from the heart when she finished - a beautiful performance. And I cried.

It was one of the most beautiful moments of peer kindness and support that I have ever witnessed. I don't think I will ever forget it.

When things aren't going so well at school, or I think of all the things that could be better, I pull this memory out and it reminds me that things are not always what they seem, and neither are people. There is always the chance of a wonderfully unexpected surprise, right around the corner.

current weight: 117.0

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12/1/12 8:59 A

I went to the neighborhood church holiday bazaar yesterday and was walking among the booths when I heard my name. I looked right into to face of a smiling younger woman...and had no idea who she was. That rarely happens to me - I can usually put faces and names together without thinking. Ah aging. Anyway, turns out she was the youngest daughter of the owners of a family run answering service I worked at in college and when my kids were little. We chatted, and then she asked if I was still sewing...she said she still remembered the beautiful high school graduation dress I made for her - blue eyelet.
I have no recollection of making the dress, although I can remember other times when I made dresses for friends for special occasions. It touched me that she would remember me for that dress.

current weight: 174.0

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Posts: 5,819
12/1/12 6:37 A

Happy December! Some of you know that I live and work in Brazil. When I go out and about I'm usually very quiet. I work hard not to use English and to blend in. I don't and never will - red hair and freckles just stand out here.

Last month I was with my y.s. getting things resolved with a spelling error on his brand new Brazilian ID card. I was sure we would be in line forever, have to go back a million times and be treated with no respect as if the mistake was our problem.

A friendly face greeted us as I asked what to do about our problem. We were not given a number and asked to sit down. The fellow that spoke with us said someone would be right with us. (I said, Yeah, right! in my head.) In about five minutes we were taken into a private office not the big long line. Within 20 minutes we were done with a new ID card in our hands. I personally thanked each person in the office for their efficiency and "niceness."

A lady sitting nearby while we waited for a few minutes at the end for the new card asked how we had been attended and helped so quickly. I think she wondered if we were special. I said, I don't know but I am super thankful! We had a wonderful conversation and I enjoyed just being a normal mother with her head of red hair.

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12/1/12 2:01 A

We each have seen something (perhaps an isolated event, perhaps a one time encounter with an individual, perhaps ongoing small daily gestures) that has blessed us. Please tell us about a person, and event or a practice that made you smile inside. That made you glad you are part of this wonderful human race.

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