By Gail Pallotta

In a society where news of kindness rarely makes the papers, “Woman Gets to Dip Her Toes in Gulf Waters ‘one more time’” by David Strege for BNQT caught my eye. An elderly lady, who enjoyed Panama City, Florida, sat at the end of the boardwalk physically unable to walk through the sand to the water. She’d loved that beach ever since she first saw it on her senior trip in high school. If only she could stand in the waves at the edge of the sea one more time.

I related to her because I also love the Emerald Coast of the Panhandle and count the days from visit to visit. I read the story and knew in her situation I’d feel like a thirsty person restrained within an inch of a glass of water. Thousands, probably millions, of people who’ve visited that shore over the years take traipsing through the sand to the water for granted. More than likely, to them the following act of kindness doesn’t seem a big thing.

The woman asked a lifeguard if he would help her to the shore. He agreed. Then he and an elderly man, who accompanied the woman, escorted her to the sea. I can only imagine how exhilarating the water rippling over her feet must’ve felt and how it must’ve soothed and comforted her to know her wish had come true.

Reading about someone with a caring attitude and willingness to help others touched me, but it also made me wonder how many times a day I see someone who needs something small that would mean something big to them. When someone’s ill or there’s a death, tradition tells me to send cards, take food and do what I can to comfort the sick or grieving. In accidents or weather related crisis I come together with others to help, but what about the little needs?

Life’s busy and I’m walking through at a fast-pace, focused on the demands of each day as I try to keep up. I’ve promised myself I’ll make an effort to open my eyes and heart to the small opportunities to help someone.

Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s a wife, mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. A former Grace Awards Finalist and a Reader’s Favorite 2017 Book Award winner, she’s published five books, poems, short stories and two-hundred articles.

Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums. She loves to connect with readers. Sign up for her newsletter at http://www.gailpallotta.com/mainphp.html and visit her website at gailpallotta.com

Gail’s new book, Hair Calamities and Hot Cash is on pre-order for only .99.

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Hair Calamities and Hot Cash

“A comedic romp from small town to big city in search of missing money, hair catastrophes, and love. A truly fun read”– Cynthia Hickey, author of the Shady Acres Mystery series

What happens when a New York stockbroker crashes his car into Eve Castleberry’s North Carolina beauty shop … on the same day the young widow’s defective hair products are causing wild hairdos?

Soon Eve finds herself helping the handsome stranger hunt the thieves who stole his clients cash…and hot on the trail of two of the FBI’s most-wanted criminals!

Romance blossoms amid danger, suspense and Eve’s hair-brained plan to get back the money.