Little gifts leave lasting impressions

This morning at the radiation oncologist's office I ran into a gal that I used to see at the chemo center. We were both waiting for our turn with Esther when she recognized me and asked me if I was the one that gave her some mini cookie cutters during the holidays. Yup, that was me. I bring little gifts with me to nearly all of my appointments and I pass them out to patients and staff. I don't always have enough for everyone so on those days I try to give them to people who seem to need a pick me up. The cookie cutters were cute - real little ones with different holiday shapes and I tied a cute little holiday ribbon on them. Anyway, she told me that not long ago she was having a really stressful and tough day and her eight year old son grabbed the cookie cutters and brought them to her and suggested that they make cookies together to "feel better". She said they are the only cookie cutters they have and that they helped turn a horrible day into a fun and happy day for both her and her son. She said she remembered thinking about how I would have been really happy too knowing they had brought them joy. She was right. Hearing her tell me this today filled my heart with joy. It also reaffirmed for me why I give these gifts away - these silly little inexpensive gifts. Because even if they make someone smile for just a moment, they've served their purpose. But sometimes, like in this one case, they make an even bigger mark in someone's day - including my own.