Beautiful Things

Hello All,

The most beautiful thing happened to me last week…..in a grocery store parking lot! Little mom and I had just finished shopping at Fresh Market in Newport News – the only place where I can find little mom’s favorite jams and Melissa’s favorite beer! I was loading the car when a delightful husband and wife approached me and said “Thank you very much for your service.” I know I looked confused (even behind the mask) because I did not recognize them. So the gentleman pointed to my license plate and said “You and your peers make a difference.” I thanked them, and then had to wipe away a few tears. So for those of you who don’t know, my license plate is HPY RN – for Happy Registered Nurse. (Bob still swears it stands for Hippie RN – one because I am a child of the 60s and 70s……and two because I definitely have hips!)

What a special tribute! Though I was the immediate recipient, he was actually using me as a proxy to say thank you to each person who is serving on the frontlines! So I am passing it on to you.

All of this reminds me of my favorite quote from Helen Keller – “The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or even touched; they must be felt with the heart.”

Gratitude cannot be seen, but it definitely can be felt! I am so grateful for all of the staff of multiple professions who have been on the frontlines of the pandemic. And there are so many of them! You can’t touch bravery, but your actions every day demonstrate it clearly.

I am grateful for my family and friends – and the wealth of love we share. Hugs can be felt – and I have always considered them to be the physical evidence of love.

You can’t touch joy and hope, but they are as important as the air we breathe.

You can’t see or touch the spoken words – but they can lift you up.

You can’t touch music, but it can fill you up and refresh your soul.

You can’t touch laughter – but you can feel it and its positive impact on your health, on your spirit, on the world.

You can’t touch sunlight – but you can feel its warmth, physically and mentally.

You can’t touch compassion – but you know when it is there…..or when it is missing.

Don’t take any of these for granted! Celebrate these best and beautiful things, these incredible riches. Fill your day with light, laughter and love. And thank you for filling my days and my heart!

Phyl