Who needs you to make another person feel special today? If you are like me this morning, I’m just sitting here sipping a cup of coffee, and I have no idea who may enter my life today. I don’t know who I will encounter who will provide an opportunity for me to make him or her feel special.

Of course my wonderful husband is sitting here sipping coffee with me, too. For years, it has been a morning ritual that Dave would bring me my coffee with cream. It was such a sweet gesture and always made me feel loved. That 36-year tradition fell to the wayside almost two years ago when cancer took over his life. It’s not that I cannot make my own cup of coffee, but the reality is, it became evident that even simple tasks were difficult for him. It took energy that he just did not have. It is amazing how this disease can change one’s life in so many ways.

A few weeks ago, this all changed. I woke up to a steaming cup of coffee made just the way I like it. As one can imagine, it felt like my old Dave was coming back. He’s making and bringing me my cup of coffee every morning now. This special gesture is a small sign that he is starting to feel more like himself.

Although regaining the strength he lost is taking longer than Dave expected, he is back to taking hikes in the woods, back to doing resistant band work and back to lifting weights. His quick weight gain of 30 pounds last month has tapered off now, but his eating habits are resembling the old Dave as well. He’s enjoying second helpings and requesting certain recipes to help him gain the last 20 pounds needed to reach his goal weight. That, my friends, is huge. And as I’ve said before, if I could give him 20 of my pounds, it would be the highlight of my “giving” season.

We have entered the special time of year when giving and receiving seem to come to the forefront. I feel compelled to make every day special for someone, just like Dave does for me. Something as simple as bringing me a cup of coffee does not go unnoticed. It’s special.

So moving forward, I am going to make a concerted effort to do just that. I will look for a time and place to make someone feel important. It will be a special addition to each and every day – not just for this time of year but for every day.

Update: This was sent to me after my original posting in response to the blog. I thought it apropos to share it. “Lord, open my eyes to see evidence of your glory everywhere I turn. Put faith in my heart to step out, to be a necessary miracle in someone’s life today.”