Hi everyone, welcome to thanks for being here a short weekly pod to remind us of the many essential

and beautiful ways we affect one another. Every Sunday I'll read a submission from a listener,

Kelly Corrigan wonders, could be wedding vows or about mitzvah toast, a eulogy, or retirement speech.

We believe this is probably the loveliest way to tap into our better selves and remember

our highest values. We encourage you to share this podcast each week with one person you love.

Maybe someone you miss need to bring closer. Someone you want to feel your appreciation or admiration

or both. This is thanks for being here.

Today's thanks for being here comes from a woman named Stephanie Was. She says, hi Kelly.

Thanks for asking for responses to the great human road race essay. Pasted below is my own version

of the thing I return to again and again when I get lost or distracted. I love your podcast and

appreciate the chance to share my take on the little things that create a big beautiful life.

Stephanie called her submission chicken soup for the soul by Stephanie Was.

Sipping my morning coffee, I stand at the kitchen counter. I'm a nagerie of vegetables,

carrots, celery, onion, and a handful of redskin potatoes lined up like soldiers in front of the

crock pot. Breakfast is barely over but I'm peeling veggies like my life depends on it.

Maybe it does. I scoot the cutting board into position and dig my favorite pairing knife from the

drawer. Which you make in my husband asks. Not sure I say because I can't decide between chicken

tortellini soup and its simpler cousin, chicken rice. All I know is that the morning air thick with

smoke from the Canadian wildfires has left me unsettled. Is it safe to walk the dog? Not according to

my weather app or my mini golden doodle. My 11 year old fur ball is wisely hunkered in a corner.

His black button knows still twitching from the eerie plastic scented haze that

whooshed over him as he sprinted outside to do his business. As weather alerts blank on my phone,

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