Wednesday, April 23, 2003

Today is the first anniversary

Today is the first anniversary of Joy Challenger day - the day last year when I came home from work to find an envelope from “Joy Challenger” in my mailbox, properly and personally addressed to me and Kel, stamped but not cancelled, containing ten $100 bills.  It came at a most auspicious and helpful moment, making possible certain advances in our financial position and interior decor that otherwise would have been beyond reach.  In addition, it infused Kel and me both with a sense of ineffable possibility, that good things sometimes happen for no good reason to relatively good people, that anonymous acts of kindness and generosity can touch you when and where you least expect it. 

Happy Joy Challenger day, everybody, and especially to you, JC, whoever and wherever you are.  This is a good day to pay someone’s toll for them on the bridge, or to hold open a door for a stranger, or to cook at a soup kitchen, or to talk with a lonely person on a park bench for a few minutes.  Money is a language we all speak, but kindness is the real message and it can be shared in many dialects.  Can’t wait to get home and check the mail, though I think JC’s moved on to the next worthy soul.  But maybe I’ll find out who JC actually is, finally.  One thing for sure though: it’s changed my perspective and made me a lot more joyful, just to think back on opening that envelope and finding the bills wrapped in that sheet of blank paper.  One of those personal holidays.  I’ll see if I can get it off work next year.  The gift that keeps on giving…