A Baby Named Hope: How a Child I Never Had Helped Me Love the Ones I Did [Operation Give a Little: Give a listening ear and Give a public accolade]

“I almost lost my son, once,” she tossed it out, as if she were saying something as casual as how’s the weather out there or socks are buy-one-get-one-free today. But the way she looked at me, darting glances away from her cash register, made me realize that it was meaningful to her. And how could it not be? As …

This Season Give a Little Gift to an Animal: Operation Give a Little Day 6! [What’s your favorite pet story?]

My kids are obsessed with this commercial! They think it’s hilarious. (Click through to see video) “Luna! Luuuunnna! Here, pretty kitty!” I crooned, shaking a bag of cat treats as I circled the tiny hotel room for the 50th time. “Are you sure she was, ah, here?” The hotel manager asked as his assistant lifted …

A Candy Bar and a Dollar Bill: The Best Gift I’ve Ever Given [Day 2 of Operation Give a Little: Giving the Benefit of the Doubt]

 This my Aunt Barbara “mid-roar with a dollar bill in one hand and three musketeers in the other” as noted by my dad. Seriously have you ever seen ANYONE love any present this much?? Gift-giving ninja, I am not. I’m well intended and I try hard but I’m not one of those people who just …

What To Give When You Feel Like You Have Nothing Left To Give [Day 1 of Operation Give a Little: Compliment]

A fist bump. Being alone at the gym is unlike being alone anywhere else. For one thing, it’s an oddly intimate setting for interacting with strangers. I mean, when’s the last time you all stripped down and got sweaty while singing to yourself on the subway? Or at church? Or the mall? (Don’t answer that.) …