April 14, 2025: The Sweet Surprise

Last year, I threw a book launch party.

My writing buddies gathered with me to celebrate. Then one friend showed up with cupcakes, though nobody was supposed to bring anything.

And these weren’t ordinary treats. They were miniature works of art, decorated in my novel's colors and themes. I stood there, speechless. The desserts looked so amazing, I almost felt guilty eating them. Almost.

Sometimes, life can seem a little rough around the edges. But small gestures like this remind me there's still goodness out there.

This week, I heard about a financial clerk at a large healthcare provider. She transformed plain billing envelopes into original illustrations for a patient she’d never met. Just to brighten her day.

Each month, the statement arrived with a new drawing, turning the invoices into masterpieces. Eventually, the patient and the clerk became friends. And my favorite part? They later curated an exhibit together to showcase all those beautiful creations.

Ahh, kindness. Always a sweet and pretty surprise.