FIND INSPIRATION IN THE EVERY DAY.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

12 Days of Christmas: Take a Knee


Those of you who have children in organized sports: you know the expression, "Take a Knee"?  When a player is hurt, all the other kids stop playing, go down on one knee, and wait quietly until the player gets assistance.  

That action always touches me, whenever I see it.  It's the simple consideration for someone else.  Someone in need, someone hurt.  It's the patient moment and hopeful clapping after the player gets up.  It's a bit of quiet kindness in the middle of the frenetic action.  

In the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, the playing field gets, well...crazy. Too much of everything and not enough time to deal with it all.

Today I went to jam-packed Barnes and Noble to find the new Big Nate book for my third grader.  (Shhh...don't tell him!)  I forgot my coupons and the gentleman (and I use that term loosely,) ringing me up just said "Aww...that's too bad." But there was a woman in line behind me who overheard our conversation.  She said: "I have an extra 20% off coupon.  You're welcome to it." 

That lady took a knee for me today.  Just a little knee, and just for a moment, but it was, as Raymond Carver said so beautifully, "a small, good thing."  So, may I be so bold as to suggest that sometime during the next few days, we all "Take a Knee"?

If you see someone struggling to get the door because they're laden with packages, hold it open for them.  If you see a child having a meltdown because they're being dragged to yet another store, make a funny face to make them laugh.  If your neighbors are older folks and don't get around much these days, maybe they'd like a few of the gingerbread you made?  

xo, my friends.

2 comments:

  1. Small good things are wonderful! Always, but especially in the holiday fray, or when you're feeling frazzled for other reasons! I like to think I always pay attention to these things, but of course I don't. I'll keep my eyes extra open :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a lovely post. I love the analogy ...we should all try to "take a knee' for others ...every chance we get. Happy Holidays Rae! I am very glad to have met you this year! xokp

    ReplyDelete