A is for appreciation, advocacy and adoption. It is also for acceptance, accolades and amiable. I considered all these as themes for the first entry in this blog. I wanted to kick it off with something memorable, significant and meaningful. But in the end, I went old school, as in “A is for apples.”
That's right, just “apples,” the well-worn “a” word in many children's books written to teach the alphabet. I brought a bowl of apples to the office for my co-workers. Assorted apples, which makes it a double “a” act of kindness, really. Three different varieties: Granny Smith, the green ones that are tart and I can't for the life of me figure out why people like them. Gala, which are really sweet and I really like, which also explains why I don't care for the tart ones. And McIntosh.
Apples are delicious and nutritious and a perfect snack for those who are trying to eat healthy and lose weight. And that seems to be pretty much everyone who works in my office. So what kinder way to help folks move toward those goals than to leave a selection of apples with enough variety to suit everyone's taste.
When I left near the end of the day the bowl was half empty. Or half full, depending on how you look at it. I felt good about my contribution to the health and well being of my co-workers. But I do know this. Had I left a plate of something else, brownies or cookies perhaps, there would have been nothing but crumbs left by the end of the day.
You make a very valid point, we can truly be kind by feeding healthy food to others.
ReplyDeleteEach week my wife and I bring a couple of items to donate to our church food pantry. A couple of months ago I realized that I was just grabbing the cheapest items off the store shelves to donate. Then I realized that I was donating food to others that I personally would not eat myself and vowed to change my ways. I now only donate food that I would feed myself and my family.
I had a feeling that was you as I was commenting to "A" about it when you walked in... for the record, I picked a Mac. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI really thought "A" should be for "Annie" - for all of the selfless acts of kindness that you have blessed me with over the past 28+ years! I wouldn't be here without you - wherever "here" is, I know I am in a much better place because of you!
ReplyDelete