“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”

— Cynthia Ozick

It was just a simple remark, said in passing.

I had stopped into the office of my daughter’s school yesterday. The reader board was out of date and I hadn’t received any emails with updates from the principal’s secretary, so I was there to find out the next message.

In the span of about a minute, she had checked the calendar and conveyed the announcement to me. I listened, acknowledged, exchanged a few pleasantries, and a laugh. Then she said something as I walked out the door,

“Thanks for doing this. You’re so easy to work with.”

It was a casual remark, but it reminded me that, as I was making her job easier, there are so many people making our daily lives a little easier. The people clearing our path.

The snowplow driver who got up at 4am to clear the road. The co-worker who knows what you need to do, and takes part of that job on herself. The teacher that emails you with an opportunity for your child – an opportunity which you didn’t even know existed. The spouse who cooks meals for you every single day. The guy who let you cut in line at the store when you were in a hurry.

Our lives are easier because others are out there right now, clearing the path.

Yesterday’s gift of time … Changed the reader board at my daughter’s school. Just helping to clear the path.