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Category: Strangers

Day 76: People on Facebook

I posted this this morning, and within the hour had a handful of people tagging friends from Chicago, sharing it on their timelines, and basically getting attention to those who could help. My cousin, Daniel, rallied his family in Chicago to help get goods to my grandparents. I love them so so much and it hurt my heart that people were hoarding toilet paper…and my grandpa could not find any. It’s the time to help each other. It’s really all we have. I’m grateful to the wonder of people caring on Facebook. Small joy, big results.

Day 57: Puppy Therapy

Today was the second day I’ve brought Shiloh, now nearing 11 weeks, to the university. I’m grateful to live only about ten minutes away, so I can bring her and take her home in a feasible amount of time.

When I walk her though campus, the joy I see on strangers’ expressions and friends’ faces brings me the feeling of wonder. It’s almost like a wonder domino effect. Shiloh brings delight to someone, I witness their faces, the delight spreads to me.

We all need more puppy therapy at busy college campuses.

Day 17: “When You Wonder, You Can Try and Find Out More” – Daniel Tiger

If you know me between the hours of 7-9 am, you know my favorite show on DVR is Daniel Tiger on PBS. And don’t worry if you feel bad about not knowing this. The only person who does know is fast asleep as I write this (awaiting his third birthday party tomorrow!).

The songs, Daniel, Tigey (Daniel’s stuffed animal), his friends, teachers, community, parents, the diversity of people and families, the trolley. It’s all the secret ingredients to make me watch episodes over and over with my little.

Today’s episode was about wonder. Of course I jumped out of my skin with excitement. What I’m learning about wonder is that it means different things to different people. For Daniel Tiger, wonder is about finding out more. Putting your curiosity hat on. In a playful way.

As I reflect on this at the end of the day, I think the most I wondered today (through Daniel’s theory) was about going to a car dealership and asking to test drive three cars in the rain. I probably won’t buy a new car but I wanted to see how a couple different ones drove. So I followed Daniel Tiger, gave the guy at the dealer my ID, and test drove some SUVs.

I learned a lot about the cars and the salesman. He’s proposing to his girlfriend next weekend in Oregon. She’s a DPT student at OU, near where Nick works. There was nothing wildly profound about the experience except that it was pleasant to get out of my own routine and as Daniel says, “try and find out more.”

Watch the video! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bBZZ1yjqT-4

Day 10: A Morning Wave

Bennett and I had to leave the house two hours early today for a training I had at the university. We usually take our mornings slow and enjoy the time together watching Daniel Tiger and eating a big breakfast, but today’s hustle out of the house was something different.

When we were leaving the neighborhood, a young boy, middle school aged, waved at us as we were headed out. He had a big smile and I could tell he was genuinely spreading morning cheer.

The gesture of a young boy being friendly and waving was a bright happy start to the day. Instead of looking down on his phone, he was looking up, and interacting with the world…even at such an early hour.

Also, today was the first rain of 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Tomorrow, it is supposed to snow!