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Dear Birds,

I’m sure you’re familiar with the book series “Chicken Soup for the Soul” but if you aren’t it is a collection of inspirational stories that are, usually, inspirational. The concept of the collection of stories is a good one. Sit down with the book on a dreary night and you might actually come away with a smile, feeling like the world is, perhaps, a warmer and more friendly place. Or maybe you will come away with a sense of belonging, as if there is a place for you in the world after all.

This post, however, is not about a book. This post is about Chicken Soup… Chicken Noodle Soup, to be exact.

On a cool winter evening after an emotionally trying week I was tired, hungry and feeling a little worse for wear. I’m sure you’re familiar with the feeling… It’s almost as if a thick fog of heaviness settles down into your soul and you can’t find the happy, warm fuzzy feeling anywhere.

I was talking to a friend; one who I have come to know well and become very close to. Not long after our chat started I received an on-the-spot invitation to stop by and talk for a bit. As I prefer face-time to online chats I jumped on the opportunity to stop by for a visit.

When I got there I was greeted warmly by both the two and four-legged variety of friend. I sat down at the dining room table and what was set before me, to my surprise, was a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup (which was, and this makes it even better, made by my friend’s mom). This person had considered me and my rough week and thought to pick up soup just for me so that I would, if even temporarily, feel better.

The thoughtfulness of such a gesture is, even still, enough to bring tears to my eyes.

We underestimate the power of simplicity, don’t we? In a world where television, radio, magazines and marketing schemes hock grand gestures and lavish presents at us 24/7 we often forget how a simple, heartfelt gift and the thought behind it can lift us out of the gloom and put us back on track.

In this case a bowl of Chicken Noodle Soup lifted me out of the fog. It also reinforced my belief in friendship, kindness and the good nature of people.

As I walked away from the visit, shaking off the last of the chill that had enveloped me, I felt the warmth of the soup and of the love and friendship wash over me.

So this post is a “Thank You!” to a good friend who gave me more than soup. You gave me a smile, a full stomach and a happy heart.

All my love,

 

 

 

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