This morning, as I walked to my college I saw a man petting a cat, as I neared him he continued, and I petted the cat. The guy behind me, some big gym bro type knelt down to do the same.

A good morning.

I woke up to an Amazon package outside of my door, which I thought contained the makeup items I had ordered for Halloween. I excitedly ripped open the bag to find protein powder and peanut butter. Huh?? I checked the shipping label and turns out it was addressed to someone else in the apartment complex. Oops.

I wrote a note on a bright blue post-it note: “Hello- This package was delivered to my door and I mistakenly tore it open thinking it was something I ordered. Sorry about that! I didn’t touch any of the contents.” I took the package to the correct door and left it outside with the note.

When I came back home a few hours later, an Amazon package with a bright blue post-it was outside my door. My exact note. Hah! It seems the same exact thing happened to both of us.

Stillness. The crackling of the radiator heater. Chilly in the morning. The sun comes up, the window and screen doors open letting in the earthy smells of autumn. I need to patch the screen before spring bugs can enter after the cold has come to an end.

Ive lived in a season of blizzards for a decade. The tree this year, coming soon, will replace the candle warmer light with the twinkle of hope. After the longest night of the year, my hope will return, and ill see spring again too.

For now, ill listen to the white fluff ball snoring without a care in the world.

I live next to a small family, and today when I got home, the mom and dad were in their front yard raking leaves.

They were dancing together and taking turns running through the small pile they made! I was happy to see them having fun, just the two of them, even while the kids were at school. Despite the subzero temperatures and the boring yardwork to be done, they still found a little bit of joy.