Nice

The letter N brings to mind a number of words which relate to kindness, strangers, and my experiences of the last several days.  "Nice" is the words which encapsulates the others which include NEADS (National Education for Assistance Dog Services), nods, neighbors (of my parents whom I did not know until this past week), and navigating, to name a few.

My road trip has concluded.  I am taking a bit of time to compose this brief entry before returning to work.  As I reflect on the important time I had with family and friends I also recognize that Rowdy, trained by the fine folks affiliated with NEADS, had his ongoing impact on people throughout our time away, namely the neighbors up the street and across the street from my parents.  I had very pleasant conversations with all, initially about Rowdy but then about various other things like gardening, fond memories of one's college days back East, deer, birds, ground cover (native versus invasive), one of the neighbor's beloved dogs.  I'm not sure I would have learned as much about these others if not for the ever present, fluffy ice breaker.  Also, while driving and stopping along the way, I made it a point to nod, to make eye contact more than I generally have, when running in for a pit stop, getting a drink, and, of course, walking and watering the pup.  Yesterday I actually had a number of exchanges with a young family including their dog and young baby which concluded with mutual wishes for a safe journey to one another.  As navigation on a long throughway continued, I was left with a strong feeling of just how nice it can be to really notice the little, genuine ways exchanges between people can impact moods.  

The way the word NICE is resonating in my mind is difficult to describe but I imagine many of you, at least in this country, have heard it said when one experiences something as really, really nice.  It's sounds something like this:  Naaahhhiiiicccceee - with a little sort of hiccup in there for added emphasis.

I am grateful for that sort of NICE vacation that included many fine times with strangers, friends and family!  Wishing you readers nice moments in the days and weeks ahead!