Today’s lesson - life is an echo, whatever you do comes back to you

Back after a hiatus because I felt compelled to write and share this today!

A few days back a professor I worked with gifted us Teaching Fellows these beautiful yellow flowers to say thank you. She had a superb experience with us probably because we wanted to and did it out of choice than being mandated to do so like some Ph.D. students. Anyway, it was lovely of her to express what she felt through this sweet gesture! It made me smile and I felt satisfied that I had done some justice to the role.

Trying my best to not be clumsy with the many things in my hands that I have a faint recollection of, I entered the library post her lecture and ran into Michael, the librarian who is also a veteran. He jokingly asked if I had got the flowers for him. I said absolutely and gave him some of the flowers. With some hesitation he took it and his response was worth witnessing.

I didn’t think much of it and thought I should pass on the smile but he just melted and was moved to tears. The next day he stopped me on my way in with a glint in his eyes and said he wanted to show me something. I wondered and waited as he pulled out his phone. There was a gorgeous picture of the perked-up flowers against the white backdrop of the fresh snow. He said it made his day and that this photo had made its way to China as he shared it with his friends there! Honestly, I was amazed at how he was so touched and felt so much joy because of this little thing; at how much it meant to him. And that was the best start to the day that I could ask for :)

Cut to today - after getting some feedback on what I had written and 10 things I had to but was not even close to getting done, I just got overwhelmed and didn’t how to start from scratch a third time. The flood came when I least expected it as I was very calm during the call and taking feedback. I assumed it would be the same after the call. I tried giving myself a pep talk, reasoned that I needed to get back and work on it, after all, it was just feedback and I shouldn't waste time this precious time.

But it wasn’t working today. I talked to a friend who listened patiently and gave actionable advice but it was a balm that gave some but only temporary relief. The library staff said goodbye as they close earlier than normal on Fridays and I shifted to another building - so the pleasure of shedding tears in solitude was also gone. But there I ran into a classmate and then her super lively friend Lauren! And her energy and excitement were contagious. Usually, I am the person who is bouncing around but today she was that person for me! I didn’t know her, I had never seen her before but just her presence and warmth were so uplifting. We grooved to some Indian songs, talked about her not-so-kind supervisor, and cheered that she got another one, then sat down to work and I could actually write something that made sense. She read it and edited my convoluted sentences and gave me company till midnight. More than that she was just a wonderful and warm human being that I so needed today! Whatever she did today meant so much to me. I was moved and this reminded me of Kevin.

What played out is both amusing and heartwarming. It’s simple - spread a smile, express gratitude when you can because you never know who needs it and what it means to them that day :)

(Some goofiness and smiles from Laura and me)

Did I just catch you smiling?