Anne Mitchell Illustration

Neighborhood mailbox snowman, a few days old.

It has been a cold January, so how about a heartwarming post.  A recent storm dropped almost a foot of snow here. A neighbor took his snow blower around clearing off the driveways of those who couldn't shovel.  After that same snowfall, down the street someone built a cute snowman around their mailbox.  Granted, he saw cleaner days than the one I chose to take a photo on but he still can't help make you smile.  Routinely, another neighbor drops off magazines and newspaper articles he thinks will be of interest.  A sample of a newly discovered Trader Joe's snack often accompanies it. Needless to say, our neighborhood rocks.

Not every day this month did weather have traffic at a stand still. A friend recently dropped off homemade kombucha and ginger beer.  They were both excellent.  Her empty growlers will be returned containing our hard cider, of course.  Meanwhile, we are still enjoying a case of blueberry lavender jelly canned by a family member.  We are lucky to have several good cooks in our lives. They possess creativity, skill and patience that I do not.

We are often lucky benefactors of others' talents.

As I was putting away holiday decorations in early January, the cards sent by friends, homemade and store bought, still dazzled and reminded me that people took the time to stay in touch.  Sometimes life doesn't go as planned.  Not all efforts are rewarded. When harsh winds blew more than once this dreary month, encouraging words were shared by friends and family.  Maybe the world isn't so cold after all.

Ten year challenge: Someone's Gotcha Day is in January.