Hospitality in a Heartbeat

Throughout our daughter's almost four month hospitalization, one thing became very clear to me: It really is the little things that count. Whether it was the snacks from Trader Joe's that my brother's family brought or the big box of diapers that the RMH housekeepers left us for our son, these little gestures meant the world.

It's important to me to "pay it forward" and, to me, that means taking little opportunities to do something kind. To reach out. To provide "a little something" when nothing was expected. With not a lot of extra time or extra money, I've learned to pull this off quickly and cheaply.

For example...

What to do when a team of four young roofers shows up to replace your roof on a humid August day with temperatures soaring into the 90's? How do you show appreciation for the 14-hour work day they put in?




I went with cookies and lemonade. All plastic serving pieces mean there's no risk of breakage. Jumbo-sized tumblers are far more appropriate for grown men than rinky-dink paper cups.


Cookies bake up in a flash when you've frozen individual dough balls. I bag them two dozen at a time to give me two perfect cookie sheets worth.


I have an awful lot of Kool-Aid because of some recent "buy 3 Kraft products, get XXX free" deals. The pink lemonade version mixed with 2/3 the sugar makes a refreshing summer beverage.

When I carried out this tray, I was met with stunned gratitude. Such a little thing!

Brightening someone's day and providing hospitality... that Works for Me.

Check out more great tips at Works for Me Wednesday, hosted at Rocks in My Dryer!