A few days ago, as I brought my Christmas mail to the post office, a young mother caught my eye. She was planting a quick kiss on her envelopes before dropping them in the mailbox. She did it covertly, so no one would see. But I did.
I asked her if she does this with all her mail. She nodded. We exchanged a few words and a moment of mutual recognition.
Ever since I remember, my mother has drawn a small "God bless you" cross with her forefinger on envelopes before dropping them in the mail... letters, cards, and bills. She does this to bless their voyage, encourage safe arrival, and to share a blessing with all who come in touch with the mail and especially the one receiving the mail.
I have continued this habit, also finding myself doing it when sending an important email: "May it be received in the spirit it is intended, with an open mind and heart. May it 'land' in the best possible of ways."
And now my daughter continues the gesture, drawing a wee cross of blessing on envelopes as she sends them down the mailbox slot.
Seeing this woman warmed my heart, and got me thinking of all the myriad small gestures of care and blessing happening around the planet daily...
candles lit by grandmothers as they pray for their families...
kisses blown to loved ones as they drive away...
clothes smoothed and lovingly folded for our children to wear...
prayers whispered when we say, "Drive safely"...
little love messages and drawings slipped into lunch boxes...
the kind smile of the guy at the gas station...
the door held open by the 10-year-old for an elderly person before he runs off after his friends...
the lullabies sung in the middle of the night, heard only by the restless babes and their parents...
Little notes and gestures tucked and woven into the daily fabric of life.
Most of these go unseen. They are private, invisible, yet meaningful and precious. They express care, a touch of consciousness and kindness to daily occurrences.
Before this young woman and I parted, we shared a heart wink -- joining with many other quiet agents of love, small gestures and rituals around the world, tucked in at the edges, silently, softly weaving worlds more whole.
I walked away encouraged. These little gestures remind me of the light in our northern hemisphere at this time of the year. How resilient and steadfast it is, even as the days are short and the nights long. A flicker, a caress and encouragement. A promise and a nudge to walk on, to keep on.
Small gestures matter. The light supports and helps get us through, however small the flame. Many small flames make a fire. Many threads weave strong fabric.
What are the little rituals, gestures and habits of care and love you share with the world? Ones passed on to you that you have adopted, perhaps adjusted? Or ones invented through the spontaneous expressions of your own heart?
May you never forget that these small gestures make a difference.
Together, may we continue offering such ripples of love, weaving a fabric of sustenance and hope.
Thank you for each of yours.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.