Let me tell you about nice

Webster defines nice :–adjective,  nic·er, nic·est.

1.	pleasing; agreeable; delightful: a nice visit.

2.	amiably pleasant; kind: They are always nice to strangers.

  Bloggers defines nice :The Nice Matters Award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. It is also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world.

My blogging friend Sheryl at  stampingwith sheryl blog nominated me for the nice matters award. She has been fun to get to know. I have seen her regular participation and comment and support of others in the blogging community. I really wish this award had been done in reverse order. I keep her blog up in my bloglines and watch it regularly. Thanks very much.
But I was inspired to write by the webster definition - always nice to strangers.  What I love about meeting strangers, and talking to strangers, and more importantly listening to strangers, is how quickly we recognize our human connection. I am amazed at how small the world really is, and I must say it - how part of a divine family we all are.
Let me share a story.  When I was a young girl in love, I attended a church with an older woman who had befriended me. My husband and I were married there. We later converted and joined another church together, and I forgot almost everything about that part of my life as I became a  busy wife and mother. Thirty years later, I began teaching card classes at a little library not far from my home as a Stampin' Up demonstrator. I was doing this as a friend to the library director, Margi, who had become a friend of mine through scrapbooking. She had a small store in her home for several years and I had grown to love her.  During this time, another dear friend of mine, Linda, had lost her husband, and I knew she would face some lonely times ahead so I took her with me - actually drug her - to all the classes and crops and activities. I needed her company, and her strength more than she needed the outings but..back to the library,  I met a lovely lady, Marnell, at the library and her daughter,Debbie, and they decided to attend one of my workshops.  Linda attended my workshop too. And.. they knew each other! How? Linda volunteers at the local hospital, and had sat with Marnell and her husband as he was facing the end of his mortal life. He had died only a few weeks earlier.  I heard her tell Marnell ,that  years earlier, Margi and I had made losing her husband more bearable by keeping her busy. I was touched.  But that is not the end.  Marnell and her daughter started asking me questions, and we realized that we had known each other  at the  church where I was married.
I know these wonderful women, began as strangers, but are now an enriching part of my life. I know this is not coincidence, but in fact part of a Heavenly Father's love for his children.
So.. I wax sentimental. I believe that my blogging friends, who I have not yet met,and are now strangers,  will eventually enrich and brighten my life and the life of others. I wonder what incredibly sappy story I will have to tell 30 years from now?  probably something about
Ida who leaves thoughtful comments for bloggers challenge group ( I'm insecure)  and
Valerie  who is so nice to Margi and I as we idolize her talent and
Kathy who I met on the airplane coming home from convention and was sooo nice. and

all the ladies in the bloggers challenge group - they say such nice things to each other. and

my daughter who came home for the summer and brought sunshine back to our home.