For fourteen years,
I’ve been offering it,
but never had any takers,
not even a single one,
that it,
until today,
when our Administrative Assistant
called in sick to work,
and through habit and a bit of muscle memory,
I texted her back,
“I hope you’re feeling better soon.
Would you like me to bring you some soup?”
And then, and then….
She said “YES!”
Can you believe it?
After fourteen years?
Someone said YES to soup!
I reread her text to be sure.
“That’s very kind of you.
If chicken noodle soup is available,
I would very much appreciate it.”
After my morning meetings,
I abandoned my office,
picked up some chicken noodle soup,
and drove across town to deliver it.
She thanked me for the soup.
I thanked her for the joy and the gift of purpose.