A Much Better Day.....

For the entire past week, I've been in some sort of funk. Guess all I needed to do was come here and seek a little help from my friends!! You are all so sweet!!! So here is a little bit of why my day was much better:

Both Debi and Nymeth left me posts that said they had given me the "You Make My Day Award"!! Talk about making some one's day. Debi and Nymeth are two of my favorite bloggers (and not just because they said nice things about me! Which they did.) But because they are both kind, genuine people. I really want to thank them for making my day just a little bit brighter.

Debi's daughter Annie is the host of the What's in a Name Challenge. Talk about a prodigy. Annie is 11! I think Debi has done wonders homeschooling her. Not only is she a voracious reader, Annie is destined to be a famous author. She completed NaNoWriMo (something most adults couldn't do!) And I read her intro. It's fantastic! As the host of the challenge, Annie is having contests and giveaways throughout the year. And guess what?? I won for January!!

Finally, yesterday at work I got a surprise. As you know, I work for the Red Cross, Biomedical Division. Our region, The Heart of America region, services over 45 different hospitals, including a few in Chicago such as Rush, Northwestern, and U of Chicago. Of those 45, we also have 5 local hospitals, and a whole bunch of smaller, country hospitals. We have certain set deliveries to each of these hospitals, and we also do emergency runs to them as well. To do this we rely heavily on volunteers. My admiration for these men is huge. They do this out of the kindness of their hearts, and that's it. The don't get any pay. Some of them drive hundreds of miles a day. A round-trip drive can be over 350 miles. All of them are retired. They don't get to meet the people they help. And yet, they go out whenever they get a call, even in the snowstorms. Their level of commitment just amazes me.

Now I tell you all this because it makes my day to talk to these gentlemen. (Walt is 87, and yet he drives for the Red Cross at least 3 X a week!) Last week I was talking to Bob, one of our local drivers. He comes in one day a week, and spends his entire day driving to all the local hospitals. Some times many times to each. I was asking him if he had any plans for the weekend. He said he was going to do this and that...and then he said the magical words: Book Sale!! It was the Lakeview Museum Bi-Annual booksale. My eyes must have lit up because he asked me if I like the read!! Duh, that was an easy one. So we started talking about books. I had really wanted to go to the sale, but I had to choose that or go see my brother (who I haven't spent any time with in over a year). Luke won out, but it was close!!

Bob came in yesterday for his volunteer day. He knew I wasn't able to go to the sale, but I asked him if he found a lot of good things for himself. He proceeded to pull out a bag of books...that he bought for me!! Bill Bryson's Walk in the Woods, a couple of thrillers and even some fantasy hardback books by Tor!! He apologized because he didn't know anything about fantasy and hoped they would be good. I almost started crying. Isn't that just about the sweetest thing you've ever heard of?? I gave Bob a hug, and now I have to think of something to do to repay him for his kindness.

All in all, yesterday was a great day. I feel so much better....mostly because of the kindness of others. A heartfelt thanks to all of you!!