by Nickie Kromminga Hill

Last week was my dear friend and TSSG Ambassador, Maureen’s, birthday. Typically we would have gotten together or made some plans to hang out soon. Unfortunately we are unable to do that right now, so off I went to leave a token of love on her doorstep and perhaps have a quick social-distance visit.

When I arrived at her place, we missed one another.  She was vacuuming and didn’t hear her phone. (HOORAY for vacuuming, BOO to me as I didn’t let her know that I was coming.)  I didn’t get to see her, but what I did see took my breath away. Our mutual friends, Renee and Rush,  had chalked up Maureen’s sidewalk with an incredible birthday greeting and it made me SO HAPPY.

I don’t know if I was just overly-tired, incredibly sentimental, or just glad that there are incredible people in the world. Maybe it was because I adore the artists or because Maureen means so much to me or because it was a cloudy day and the bright colors cheered me up, but I let the tears flow at the beauty of the chalk art.

From the outset, it wouldn’t seem like this sidewalk art is that big of a deal, but let’s look closer: Rush and Renee could have decided to do nothing at all. Instead they thought, “What do we have to give?” They have chalk, and they have time, and they have love. So they shared it. They didn’t say, “Well, we’re in the midst of a pandemic so I guess we’ll just sit around and do nothing for months on end.” They didn’t say, “I don’t have any money therefore I have no gifts to give.” They didn’t say, “The entire world is awful and there’s nothing I can do.” Nope! They got to work and created some stunning art, which is a big deal.

(C’mon, look at it! It’s so fun! It’s bright and happy and fun and silly and even has those Keith Harding people dancing around in it!)

Let’s spread sunshine with what we have. You don’t have to have money or answers or a degree to give to others. You don’t have to have perfectly thought-out ideas or a lower BMI or the best hashtag to step forward to make a difference. You don’t have to have the grandest gesture to change someone’s day. You DO have to start, where you are, with what you have.

Give. Without expectation. With an open heart. You’ll never regret it.