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Lelia Gowland's avatar

What's something that made me smile recently?

I got to snuggle my friend's two new tabby kittens yesterday, and it was an exceedingly cute time.

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Renee Hanson's avatar

You loving on kittens makes me smile.

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Andrea M's avatar

I wrote a long overdue thank you not to a mentor who has picked up the phone time and time again and helped me through the toughest times. I smiled picturing the moment he opened it and felt my appreciation!

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Lelia Gowland's avatar

Oooh, I bet his face just lit up seeing what it was and that it was from you. Gratitude and shared delights have such a contagious effect. Thanks for sharing, Andrea!

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Susan.Walpole's avatar

Watching my grandbaby smile and giggle!

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Lelia Gowland's avatar

Oooh, this delights me no end, Susan! Was just looking at baby videos of my sweet kiddo. :)

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Renee Hanson's avatar

A recent entry in my "Lily Pads on Yellow Slime" notebook is "a Maxfield Parrish sky and a tiny sliver of moon over the harbor cranes" - the view out my kitchen window in early January.

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Lelia Gowland's avatar

Oooh, I bet that was stunning!

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David Lewis's avatar

An excellent column, Lelia, thank you. There’s so much power in proffered vulnerability. I think of the kitty, supine and belly inviting, fully aware that the apparent vulnerability of the fluffy tum and the implied but important calculation required of anyone who might think to take advantage... If we can only have the same confidence that violations of vulnerability come with unequivocal consequences, our communities would be safer, closer, and more equitable.

Thank you for your insights, and I hope your community rewards you generously for them.

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Lelia Gowland's avatar

A great analogy! One of the tiny tabbies trusted me with her tummy, and it was indeed such a show of trust, rewarded with a sweet belly rub.

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Jessica Price's avatar

Something that made me smile (and shake my booty) is a Wonderwall remix by TEEMID. Give it a listen on Spotify. I dare you not to dance along.

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Lelia Gowland's avatar

A great rec! I'm already smiling 8 seconds in.

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Jude Boudreaux's avatar

Strange how much I had to think of ‘what’s something that made me smile recently’ - bummer I have so much productivity brain!

Anyhow, very simple thing but had to replace a light fixture at Home Depot w my son who didn’t want to go initially. Him telling his mom that he had fun doing it with me later was really rewarding. We didn’t do anything out of the ordinary, but we both had to look for what we needed and talk about it, and it was nice!

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Lelia Gowland's avatar

It took me a moment to think of my own too! I always find the question a useful exercise.

Love this reflection! Love that an ordinary Home Depot run became a tender errand of connection with your kiddo.

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Ashley Heard's avatar

LOVE this. Deeply resonate and encouraging as we look ahead to next week. I am focused on who I am, in all the ways, and how I can leverage my experience, time, talent, and treasure to care for my community, especially those members of my community in danger under the new administration. We are in this shit together y'all!

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Lelia Gowland's avatar

YES! What a beautiful reminder and note of encouragement, Ashley!

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