My daughter Beth is a special soul whose gifts of love and kindness must make Heaven smile every single day. Not only does she help me care for her two Special Needs brothers but she is also a “Snow White” to the stray cats and wild birds in the area.

I noticed this especially when Beth took a few days for a vacation getaway and I took over feeding the strays as well as baby sitting her little dog. I remember the early morning when I walked across the road to her house. A big stray cat was waiting at her porch and gave me a look that said: “You’re not Beth” before scurrying away. Then after I laid out the food bowls I noticed two birds perched on a nearby fence looking at each other with expressions of: “Who is this guy?” as I walked past them. Beth’s poor dog too seemed especially clingy and sad. And by the 3rd day Beth was gone she even refused to eat her breakfast.

Saddest of all was her younger brother watching out the window over to her house and looking at me as if to will me to go pick up his sister already. Thankfully on the 3rd morning we did just that. I watched as her little dog jumped in her arms and covered her in kisses when she got home. I saw the cats and birds gather nearby when she put out their morning food. And I smiled with joy when her little brother cuddled up with her on our couch the next morning. I learned something too. When the little acts of love and kindness you share each day are gone even for a few days, it leaves a pretty huge hole in this world.

I thank God every day for my daughter and am so grateful for the life she lives and the love she shares. She shows me too that the more love you give, the more love you have to give. It is endless. And it just keeps growing. May you too fill all your days with love. May you leave no holes in your life. And may your goodness and kindness make all of Heaven smile.