February 21, 2023

it’s a bigger kindness than you realize

I could have said this to Barbara at the Y, as we lingered outside the workout room,
discussing the future. Or to Paul, who made pizzas for the birthday party even though
it was a Monday. Or to the vet technician who clipped the cat’s nails as if
there was nothing to it. Or to Zach, who’s answered every email so promptly, or to Matt,
for the paper trails he’s kept all these years. Or to Bob, whose questions two months ago
hit the necessary vein. Or to my sister, who wrote “IDEA” in all caps, followed by three
exclamation marks. But instead, it was said to me, by Lisa, on a Zoom call during which
I was thinking how messy my desk was, and wondering why I hadn’t put on a little
makeup. When Lisa said this, her face softened, and her eyes were so open, and this 
was its own kindness, and I will tell her this next time we talk.