How sweet it is

Just another day at the office she thinks to herself. Herself has been feeling down this week. Clothes are fitting a bit tight. The ever-nagging question of "What do I want to be when I grow up?" has been making its perennial appearance and throwing more gray and blue into the mix. Herself is generally a cheery person and doesn't like to dwell on the less vibrant colors of the spectrum. Even though herself isn't Mary Poppins, she does believe in rainbows and happy endings (most of the time). This past week was just not delivering.

So, another day at the office and herself is feeling sorry for herself. Hmm, that's redundant, isn't it? Suddenly, something unexpected happens. A large bouquet of quite colorful spring flowers arrive for ... none other than HERSELF! A gift from a graduating student who takes the time to say "Thank you for all your help." Nirvana! The beautiful flowers sit on herself's office windowsill and remind herself that, basically, the universe is a good and kind place. The flowers are just the first surprise. A large yellow envelope is delivered. Inside, a gracious note from another student telling herself that she is one of the main reasons this student chose this university. Herself made the other feel "not like a number, but like a real person. A person you were interested in." Herself smiles. She had the privilege and pleasure of handing this student her diploma at commencement.

Things are looking up. Flowers and thank-you notes. Herself finds Hope perching on her shoulder, commiserating about the tight clothes but absolutely gushing about the students who remembered to say thank you.

And the day isn't over. Once home, herself finds a surprise in her mailbox - a small package from Scotland from a close friend who has collaborated with a mutual friend in California (herself's Internet friends) to produce a very unique set of playing cards, photoshopped and laminated and cleverly containing images of herself's favorite sci-fi show. A "belated Mother's Day gift" and "sickie pressie". New friends here, women who could be daughters or sisters. Women who take the time and make the effort to create something unusual and quite special for a long-distance cyberspace companion. Herself.

Life is good. Herself will tackle the problem of the ill-fitting clothes another day.