No words say much

Sometimes, the best way to communicate with someone else is not with words. It is with a hand signal, a smile, or (my favorite) a good hug. One of my new favorites is when I can "wink" at someone, but not in a flirtatious way -- more like in a "I got your back" or "I am always here" kind of way. Today, I was blessed to receive several of these non-verbal commitments. We also communicated with "numbered hand signals" just before I walked out, and in those few stolen moments of time that I was graciously given, I smiled all the way to my car. My heart was full of the love and friendship I had freely given as my heart also received the same in return. Words were also shared that reconnected us in so many ways that I feel like I am still being embraced by the arms that held me just a few shorts hours ago. Has this ever happened to you? When you sit back later and reflect on what just happened, hoping it wasn't a dream or a figment of your imagination? Perhaps the same can be said on her side as well. In fact, I would bet that she was feeling the same and hope that in a small way, I made her day better. How many words can you say without uttering one sound from your lips? Can you give someone a thumbs up when they are uncertain about something? Is looking at someone in complete silence worth the memory of just being with them? And that you both CHOOSE to be together? Have you smiled at someone who you don't know, just to receive one back? Is a friendly gesture with a wave to someone to let them move ahead of you through the long line of cars say something? Of course it does! Many times, it is ALL there is to say! I love to write and everyone knows I love to talk, but my absolute favorites are where words are never shared. When my only choice is to feel connected, even if ever so briefly, never knowing when it will be felt again but always hoping it will come soon. Through the tearing up then and the tearing up now, we know one thing because that is all that matters. “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou. I will never forget the words that we shared, and I will always remember how the lack of words made me feel today. Simply, priceless. Michelle Homme 2012 ©

What is really important

Yesterday, I visited a friend who was in the hospital. He did not know I was stopping by, but it was important to him that I take time to say hello, hold his hand, and wish him a speedy recovery. His wife did not know either that I was going to make a quick visit, but I know they were both glad I did and it was important to me. How many times do we have an opportunity to do what is right, something that just takes a few minutes out of our day to do little like that? Probably more than we want to admit to right now. It is easier not to offer a quick prayer for someone who asks for it, because we think it doesn't matter. It is more convenient for you to just hustle inside a store instead of taking a moment to let someone go ahead of you. We get so caught up in our every day lives, that we forget about what is really important. What you say and do matters to someone else - even if you think it doesn't...that it shouldn't. We have no guarantees about what we get in this life other than we all have a guarantee of death, at some point. I was not much of a "hugger" before - that would have meant that I would have to be comfortable with giving of myself and I wasn't ready to do that. My hugs were not superficial, but nothing like what I give out now. I even find myself telling the person I am hugging, "don't let go." I have apologized for holding on too long because I thought it was too much. I was reminded by that person that maybe she needed a big hug too. Someone from my past was not comfortable with giving a complete stranger a hug, but I told him that it was just a "hug" and it might just make that person feel whole and cared about that day. I give hugs because they are important to not just the receiver, but also to me. I feel connected and cared for, and loved. I tell you what...some of the world's best huggers are the wonderful people I work with every day. Certain people get hugs when they leave my office and I have been known to give a good one, now and again (or so I have been told). What is really important? When life looks at you and makes you really check in with what you hold dear, never regret not giving someone a hug. They are free and you get one back whenever you give one. Plus, there are no calories in a hug, so you can have as many as you need or want every day!! It is important to remind ourselves that what is most important in this life are the people we share it with. Make sure that they know it every day because we never know if this is their last day or it is yours. Say what you need to say. Don't hold back. Rule 22.