I don't usually share much on Facebook or other platforms, but this heartwarming story is worth sharing with anyone who's open to hearing it.

My narrative begins with the bittersweet departure of my sister, who bravely battled cancer until last week. Her illness progressed rapidly, leaving us with only a short time to say our goodbyes. As our family is Jewish, we arranged a traditional Jewish funeral for her, which included a prompt service and a few days to sit shiva (feel free to look it up if you're curious).

Though I consider myself a resilient person with experience in overcoming adversity, this particular loss hit me differently. I needed the support of my closest friends, so I reached out to the three of them, hoping they could be there for me in my time of need.

Although they each had their reasons for not being able to attend—one had work obligations, another had a regular club meeting, and the third had family visiting—I appreciated their effort to share their circumstances with me. It's a reminder that life's commitments can sometimes be challenging to balance, but the support and love of our friends can still be felt, even from a distance.

I sent a heartfelt message to the three of them in a group chat, expressing my disappointment and rescinding my invitation. They responded with sincere apologies and a willingness to accompany me after all. However, I kindly declined their offer, encouraging them to reflect on the importance of being there for one another in times of need. I know that if the roles were reversed, I would be there for them without hesitation, even if it meant driving an hour to provide support.

I reached out to another friend, as I didn't feel I would receive the emotional support I needed from my family. Without hesitation, she agreed to be there for me, saying, "I know that if I asked the same of you, you'd be there in a heartbeat." I was incredibly grateful to have such a supportive friend by my side during this challenging time.

Now, what I’m talking about in the title of this post. I chose not to sit shiva on the first day, as I needed some personal time to grieve. Instead, I joined my father and his friends on Tuesday. That morning, still dressed in the suit I had worn the day before, I visited the local bagel shop near my friend's house. The bagel lady, who had known me for almost 20 years, greeted me with her usual warm smile. Curious about my attire, she playfully asked if I had gone out dancing the night before, a common occurrence during my visits to this particular bagel shop.

I shared with her, "We had lovely weather yesterday, right? It was a perfect day for a funeral." With a bittersweet smile, she expressed her condolences for my loss. She then inquired about my creative projects, which I frequently discuss during my visits to the store. I told her I had several scripts in progress and that everything was going well; I just needed to start filming.

Here's where the positive energy (karma) comes into play: I make a conscious effort to be kind to everyone I meet and engage in meaningful conversations with strangers whenever possible. I felt as though the universe was returning the favor, because not only did she generously give me an extra half dozen bagels (which I insisted on paying for), but she also shared the contact information of a man who had written for comedy shows on TV, created skits, and even opened for famous stand-up comedians (as well as ghostwriting for many others).

After speaking with the man for almost an hour, he graciously offered me a complimentary seat in a comedy class he teaches and even proposed to review some of my scripts. Regardless of whether these connections lead to anything, I appreciate the feeling of having my kindness reciprocated. It brings me joy to be kind to others, and it's comforting to know that the universe is always observing.

Remember to be kind, everyone—it truly pays off!