As we got to the top of the escalator leading to the second cafeteria inside our building, we spotted a table with a colorful numbered wheel. Next to it were a collection of jars with motivational phrases like, “every storm runs out of rain,” “you are the rainbow in someone else’s cloud,” you are capable of amazing things,” and “Just be you. No one else can.” I wondered what this was all about so I approached the table with my coworker.

“Would you like to spin the kindness wheel?” A woman asked.

“Sure.”

I landed on the number 12.

“All you have to do is tell someone you appreciate them today. Spread kindness.”

“I think I can do that.”

I made a few sarcastic attempts to tell coworkers that I encountered that I appreciated them. Then, my fiancé came to work.

As he turned away from the candy bowl, I told him I appreciated him being in my life. But, he too thought I wasn’t being sincere at that moment.

I was about to pick up my phone to call my mother to tell her I honestly appreciate her presence in my life, her fight, her faith and her positive spirit. Then, I got a text from my brother telling me she was back in the hospital with more bleeding. I was feeling a little overcome so I picked up my phone and called my brother.

By the time I returned to my desk, my coworkers stopped writing pending news stories to offer their support, to offer to finish my work and to allow me to go to the hospital if needed. I stayed and I can truly say I appreciate them for being there for me.

#BeKind #ShowAppreciation #invisibleillness #chronicillness #chronicpain #agingparents #autoimmunedisease #spoonie #family #faithishealing