Over the years I have been a witness to generosity. One year a donor gave everyone on the faculty a bonus. Another time I had the fun of delivering meals provided by someone else. Then there is the artist who gifts hand made ornaments to all the teachers at Christmas. 

 

Sometimes I am amazed by financial blessings and the full pockets behind them. What is it like to be able to give with such bounty? 

 

Then it occurred to me that my pockets are full. Endlessly so. I made conversation with the check out person scanning my groceries. Reading her name tag, I asked about her morning and what she planned to do on her day off. Chatting seemed to lift her spirits during a busy shift, and I thanked her as I pushed my cart toward the door. In the parking lot I paused for an elderly woman standing hesitantly on the curb, and waved to her. She seemed grateful to have the right of way. Among my bags of fruit and veggies was a bouquet of flowers. Arranging them in vases, I left two bunches on the doorsteps of people who needed a reason to smile. Later I called a woman who mentioned that she is feeling overwhelmed, and  listened while folding laundry. She said it helped. 

 

The truly miraculous thing is that such gestures leave my emotional pockets as full as they were before I began.