It was a pretty simple one, as emails go. But reading it 12 days later still brings a tear to my eye.

To my friend Rigg
Love you…heard you had a bad day…
Coming by to see you
Lis

And shortly there at the door she was. With chicken salad and pasta salad and bread, and the prettiest tulips, and a tender moment carved out of her busy life to spend with this friend in need.

It was just one of so many kindnesses I experienced as I recovered from a bad fall that left me bruised and stitched:

• Teresa and Tom, who wrapped me up, kept me calm, and rushed me to the doctor;
• Teresa (again) and Jay, who rushed me back to the doctor that afternoon;
• Kevin, who picked up my workload;
• Tom, who made it possible for me to attend an important meeting virtually;
• Leslie, who spent the night, fixed dinner, washed the dishes, fed the pets, made the coffee;
• Dr. Bruce, who put my worried mind at ease;
• Debbie and Maria, who delivered an unexpected (and yummy) dinner just at the perfect moment;
• Teresa (again) and Colleen. who toted my endless bags and caused me to giggle along every sidewalk in Manhattan and Soho;
• Pam, who checked in on the hour;
• the Edisto girls, who surrounded me with love;
• Donna, who was always there in the background;
• my sweet Eliza, who worried and really would have come home;
• And my prince charming, Tim, who came home early, and who still won’t let me lift a finger.

It has been a powerful reminder to me that the most beautiful colors and textures in my life are my friends—thoughtful, supportive, generous, true.

It has been a powerful reminder to me to take the time to be that kind of friend.

the perfect get well wish from Jay Coles, shot on the beach at Edisto Island