It really seems to be an easy thing where I live now......when I first moved here, it would take me hours to shop because everyone seemed to want to talk.....every aisle of the store.

I always start off thinking about if it were me, how would I feel & what would I appreciate & go from there. I made cookies & goodies for all my friends for Christmas.....didn't get them delivered before Christmas, but the day after, dropped the yummies off at everyone's house & had a short chance to sit down & visit....getting to know them even better.

Have another friend who is going through a very difficult time.....we started chatting when I met her through another friend.....we realized how much we have in common. I call her to see how she's doing every now & then, & when she needs an ear......I'm always there for her.....& then at times we just get together & relax for coffee on a tight budget.

Have another friend who was having hip replacement & she wanted to get her front room painted before the surgery.....not allowing her to climb the step stool to paint, I went over & we ended up painting a couple of days until after 2am in the morning.....she's a night owl like I am.

Have another friend who just had knee replacement & she is right now in a convalescent care place until she is strong enough to go home. Stopped by the other night & we sat & chatted for hours......they brought her dinner, & helped her get the food cut up.....suggested they get her a diet that is easier for her to eat without having the teeth to chew......had no idea how much she appreciated my company....but having been in the hospital so much myself, I know how lonely it can be. I have baked a huge batch of cookies....am going to take a huge container over to her today or tomorrow.

I just enjoy doing things & sharing with people....& just dropping by to say hi when I am out & have a few extra minutes....or knowing that someone needs help & not letting them tell you "don't bother"....like getting the salt & spreading it around my older friends farm so she wouldn't slip on the ice.

I don't to things to be recognized, I do the things that I know I sure would appreciate being done if I were in the same situation....being able to place ourselves in others position & understanding how they might possibly be feeling is usually right on & really makes their day as much as mine.

Then when I get a thank you note that says not only thank you for the goodies, but thanks for being such a good friend......wow, really brings the smile inside to the heart.

I have met so many wonderful people here that I just feel the drive to do nice things for them because they are so nice to me....I know I do nice things to people I don't even know, but it's sure wonderful to have great friends that makes it really easy to nice things for them.....not looking for anything in return....but mostly thanking them for being so nice to me & making me feel so welcome in a new place where I knew NO ONE when I moved here......it's wonderful to give that feeling to others because it always returns the feeling inside of me.....knowing how lucky I really am.