On a summer day or a regular work day, I’d be taking a break now after hitting my stride around mid-morning. Today, one week post-surgery, I was home from errands and appointments by 10:00 and ready to settle in for a long winter’s nap. And it’s all good. I’m recognizing that.

Step one: since I’m not driving yet (the discharge instructions said two weeks), so Petunia came over to do the driving. We always chat on the way, so that’s good.

Step two: health “assessment” at my school building. Basic blood draw, height, weight, blood pressure, body mass index. Optional, supposedly, but you know how these things work. If I “participate”, I get a small discount on my insurance premiums. If I don’t, well, I don’t. Many of us with chronic and/or recent health conditions resent this requirement because it offers us no new information. .

I did it anyway, nodded my head at the nurse who told me I was overweight (honey, I just dropped five pounds, some of that in removal of reproductive organs, and I already feel better) and my body mass index put me in a danger range. I’m aware of this problem, among others. I’ll deal with it head on.

Step two and a half: breakfast! The Clinic That Shall Not Be Named hosts a small branch of a local coffeehouse, so Petunia and I treated ourselves to refreshing beverages and I had a little breakfast. Yum.

As we got up to go, I was the recipient of a random act of kindness.  A young man wearing a stethoscope paid for my refill. I didn’t know him, or at least I didn’t recognize him. It was surprising and a little unusual.

Step three: post op follow up appointment with surgeon. He answered my questions, told me what to expect, set me up with a follow up visit, and then we were done. Quick, painless, and on my way.

Step three and a half: stop home and pick up package for mailing.

Step four: Go to post office, mail package.

Step five: That’s enough steps for one week post-surgery. It’s time to rest. But first, I’ll reheat my coffee (thanks, random stranger!) and settle into my favorite corner of the couch to watch a morning news show. Ah, the simple pleasures.

Okay, readers, here’s my question for you. Please suggest various random acts of kindness. Next time I have the opportunity, I’ll pay it forward in honor of the stranger who bought my coffee. Random acts of kindness can be small; they just need to be unexpected and kind.