Kindness Matters

I've always believed that KINDNESS MATTERS... But today, I was gently reminded of that lesson. Here's the story:

This is Me and Pilar. Pilar is my friend and pen pal. We're actually Very New pen pals as we've only exchanged one letter apiece. A few Sundays ago, I ran into Pilar and invited her to a Calligraphy class my friend was holding. Pilar was willing, but needed a ride. And of course, I am that guy...

The day finally comes around, and I go to pick up Pilar. She greets me with a warm smile, and beckons me into her tiny apartment. I poke my head in, and all around the room are Pilar's trinkets and treasures. Clearly, my friend surrounds herself with the things she loves...

Pilar smiles at me, and says, "Do you see it???" I actually do not. So I turn toward where she's facing,

then I see it...

And in that moment, my HEART BREAKS... but in a good good way.

In the ONE and ONLY letter I wrote to Pilar, I had also included the most recent family photo of The Wongs...

Sitting right up on Pilar's mantle, next to her beloved trinkets and treasures, was The Wong Family Picture I had sent her.

Pilar had framed it.

She had placed OUR picture upon her mantle, next to all the other things she loves...

I look up with misty eyes, and Pilar is there smiling like a Cheshire Cat. She couldn't wait to show me that...

Life lesson time: If you ever come upon a situation where you think that you wouldn't make a difference, or that random acts of kindness are reserved for Helpful Honda folk, THINK AGAIN.

This one little letter earned me a spot onto Pilar's mantle, and into her life... Love was shared in both directions. Both gifts received. Both gifts cherished...

Wiping my eyes, I give Pilar my next gift. The gift of 3 letters... One Introduction Letter from each of my 3 children. Pilar takes the letters reverently into her hands, and places them upon the mantle as if they were seemingly made of gold...

And in a closing bit of comedy, Pilar then gives me her next gift. Hidden inside a blue gift bag, is a musical instrument of sorts, shaped like a FROG? I express my thanks and ask how it's played. Then she says to me,

"Sing a song."

I'm like, "Really? Right now?" She says, "Right now!"

I set all embarrassment aside and start singing "The Way" by Housefires. And while I'm making a joyful noise, she starts playing "The Frog" right along with me... To have Pilar playing accompaniment on a "frog" and grinning from ear to ear, was Comedy and Beauty all rolled into one. I will always remember that moment...

Pilar will continue to be my friend and pen pal, but every Fire Starts with a Spark.

If I can encourage you in one thing... It would be to Start with the "Spark" of KINDNESS, and I think you'll be surprised by the BLAZE you might ignite. :)

That Thing You Do

As parents, we are all looking for that "thing". You know what I'm talking about... That thing. That interest. That sport. That individual passion we all hope our kids develop.

In our quest, we endure each beaten bush. We stand on the sidelines as our kids pick daisies on the soccer field. We sigh as our kid gets hit in the head with yet another tennis ball... But sometimes,

Lightning Does Strike.

From out of the blue, that morning will come. When your kid wakes up before you do, makes her own breakfast AND lunch, and tells YOU, "Hurry up! We are going to be late!"

Take heart parents.

It does happen. Lightning does strike. Not always, but when it does... Man, is it GLORIOUS!

For McKenna, that "thing" is Theatre.

She just loves it... She's been a part of a few productions now, and with every performance, her confidence grows.

And because I'm her parent, I think it's OK to say this: McKenna at this point, is not the most talented actress, nor the most gifted singer in the class.

She isn't. She knows it. And she doesn't care.

In a recent conversation I've had with her, McKenna shared with me how excited she was for Middle School. Because in the fall, she would have the opportunity to audition for the school play. I tried to temper her expectations, saying that it might be tough for her to get a good part as a incoming 6th grader. But then she just smiles at me and says this:

"Oh, I don't care Daddy. I just want to be a PART OF IT. If I don't get a part or make the ensemble, then I will join the crew. And if I don't make crew, I will just help build sets. Dad, I just love being a PART OF IT."

I'm misting up as I type this, because THAT is my girl right there. She is more about community than accolades. More about togetherness than spotlights... Last weekend, McKenna was a PART of her cast family as Ethel P. in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

As a "Thoroughly" biased parent, I thought she was spectacular...

As I told her so, McKenna just shrugs... She doesn't care.

She is just happy to be PART OF IT.

My McKenna has found her "thing". Well, for now at least...

Re-Inventing Furniture: One Piece At A Time

I've been quite busy lately. 

But no matter how busy I get, I will ALWAYS find time to do the things I love... 

And clearly, one of the "things" I love... is seeking out neglected and forlorn furniture, and giving them a new lease on life. 

I refer to this process as "Re-Inventing furniture: One piece at a time."

A few months back, I bought 4 iron and glass Mid-Century end tables at a local estate sale not far from my house. The faded and chipping paint on the bases were what I can only describe as Grapefruit? Well anyways, after weeks of deliberation, design, and sweat equity, I have completed this project. You be the judge, but I like to think that I've done an adequate job reviving these pieces...

The "Design Goal" with these tables was to bring them up to date and into the new modern era. But I also wanted to bring a natural element to the design. I eventually chose to go with wood, however, instead of one solid piece of wood, I decided to go with various planks in a patterned design.

Originally a set of 4, I decided to split the 4 into 2 sets of 2. One being a White set, and one being a Black set. Each table is unique, however the White pair was intended to go together as a set, while as the Black pair is much better suited individually...

Let's look at the White set first...

This is White #1

And White #2

The White Set

Now the Black set...

Black #1

Black #2

The Black Set

And now all together...

In order to assess where we are, let's take a peek at what these tables used to be and the process involved in bringing these tables back to life.

Set of 4 iron and glass tables in a "Grapefruit Yellow"

So that's really about it... 

Overall, I think the Re-Invention of these Mid-Century end tables turned out way better than I could have expected. It was a lot of fun to do, and it was not a difficult job at all. If I find more of these tables, I just might make more just for the fun of it... At the end of the day,  I'm just glad the vision I had for these came together. On to the next project...