What Refreshes You?

What refreshes you?

This question has lingered on in my mind these days ...

I've asked my friends the same

and I've enjoyed hearing their responses.

Sometimes it's surprising and sometimes

you just say, "well of course!"

I'm thinking of it as a love language that

a person seeks out especially in times

when life gets overwhelming.

When we need a calm -

a voice that says, 

"Peace, be still!"

Sometimes it's time with friends

while sometimes it is time alone.

Sometimes a song,

a bouquet of flowers

or a text 

is just the medicine you needed.

Right?

Today I was quickly taking in the laundry

from the wash line, right outside my back door,

taking an armful and putting it inside

each time having to push the door open

because it kept wanting to swing closed.

Little Jade came along and said,

"Let me help you, Mimi!"

and she held the door until I was done.

I was struck.

For some reason her act of kindness,

her observance and consideration,

stayed with me.

It brought me joy

even while I was not seeking it.

There are times we hit that refresh button

by picking from our personal bouquet ...

I may look through a beautiful magazine

or take a walk through the mall,

but then there are times refreshment 

comes in unexpected ways.

Even as we think we are giving it away

it may just come back to us.