Sunrise

If I had to choose between receiving kindness or love, I honestly think I would pick kindness. Of course, I know that “cause-and-effect-wise,” love probably expresses itself as kindness. So, there is no need to separate these out. Love bubbles over as kindness sometimes. And I love being the recipient. I am grateful for the kindest people in my life.

One of my favorite sister-in-laws is Sherry. The word that most often describes her is kind. Sometimes I wonder how she became so kind. I have been touched by her kindness again and again, although I can’t see where there is any connection between nature and nurture to explain where her extraordinary kindness came from. It is simply a gift of God to be enjoyed by all.

Sherry posts beautiful photos on social media and I do see her appreciation of the beauty of nature being a familiar thread running through her brother’s (my husband’s) family. So, the sunrise you see here is one of her beautiful photos.

Sherry is much more than kind. I have seen her courageously battle cancer. I have seen her love her husband, children and grandchildren well. I have seen her care for family members in good and bad circumstances. I have seen her stand up to bullies. I have seen her be the kind of caring nurse you want to have in your corner. I have seen her stand tall during adversity. I have seen her be the adult in the room. I have seen her generosity and hospitality on many occasions.

I Timothy 4:4 says, “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.”

I am thankful. I don’t get to see Sherry very often, but she is a pearl in a dark ocean. Many lives are richer, including mine, for knowing her. And I am grateful.

May the sunrise remind me of her kindness,
May the sand remind me of our shared love of the beach,
May the family I married into give me this reason to smile,
Reminded that Sherry's brother has a very kind sister.
May the rich orange of first daybreak
Give the promise of a colorful day ahead,
May the lone beach chair coax us to enjoy the sea,
May the clouds reflect daylight's promise.
A new day, new hope, new reasons to care,
Kindness exists, and I look up for it,
The quiet of the early morning whispers promise,
The reminder of kindness I found,
Like a sunrise in my soul is the heart of this girl,
I am grateful for Sherry.