My "play cousin" Kathy P attended a lifestyle medicine conference this week in Orlando. One of the pillars of lifestyle medicine is social connection, so she and the other participants - as an exercise - were asked to connect with a friend or family member.

After explaining that, she texted me, "I chose you. I have been thinking about you here in October with regard to Paula, and of course, my mom Joan up there with your Mamma Gina." (October 29th was my angel sister Paula's birthday and Mamma Gina's Angelversary. October 24th was our precious Miss Joan's Angelversary.)

Social connection. We all need that.

Being chosen. We all need that, too.

Remember being "the chosen one" ... picked for a team around your neighborhood for a friendly game of wiffleball, dodgeball or Kick the Can ... being asked to a prom or dance ... being proposed to?

Everyone likes to feel seen, be thought of, get picked, be invited, be the chosen one. It feels quite nice to be on someone's radar, doesn't it, snippeteers? (Yet it is not so fun being the one to consistently pay attention to someone you love, then not receive the same courtesy in return. Blip! Off their radar screen. That can be hurtful.)

So go ahead ... pick a person. Who will you choose? Reach out today with some love. A phone call. A text. An email. Send snail mail. Invitation to coffee. A stop-by. A fun note in their mailbox. Just because.

And because ... it's nice to be picked.

"Your words speak a lot of truth. Is there a measuring stick for suffering? Let’s not use that measuring stick, but just be present. Love."

~ Susan in Florida

"Amen, sister!!!! Be sad! Be angry! Most importantly, process the pain, sadness and grief and then BE OKAY. No pressure, no timelines, just heal!"

~ xox, "T"

"Someone else’s pain does not erase yours. Allow yourself to feel. Don’t let anyone tell you how you should feel. No one has that right to judge your feelings. You are always there for others. Sadly, not everybody has the same empathy for others. All this going on is a lot, in addition to the anniversary of Paula's passing. We often judge what others might think and it isn’t really what they do. It is heightened by your extra empathy that you have. Everything that has happened is a lot, girl. Treat yourself like you would treat a friend. Really think about this. I know how you are a great friend for others."

~ Cynthia C in Maryland

"So very glad to know you survived the hurricanes, but so very sorry for all that damage and loss. I have dear friends who live in North Redington Beach and the pictures were heartbreaking. Yes, feel those feelings."

~ Melanie W in Maryland

"I enjoyed your last SNIPPETS and have been thinking about you. We were scared here in Port Saint Lucie with Milton’s many tornadoes. At least 7 people died in a nearby mobile home park. I texted a friend who lives there hours after the tornado and she said she was fine but her neighborhood looked like a war zone."

~ Maureen in Florida

"So true! Sometimes we feel like we're going through our own personal hell, but God says, I got you! Trust He will see us through. My Nonna used to say, give your troubles to God and count your Blessings twice. The devil throws stuff our way and God catches it. Trust, believe!"

~ Pat B. W. in Pennsylvania 

"I am sorry to hear about the damage done to your Florida home and all those who have lost everything. Mother Nature is trying to remind us to pay attention. Many of us do not appreciate what we have until it is taken away in unexpected ways. The one thing I have learned from these 'WTF' tower moments in our lives is we realize who our true friends are - sometimes it is those we least expect. And a shocking wakeup call when it is not who we thought we could count on! Sending love & light to all in need." 

~ jeanie m in salem, massachusetts

"So sorry to hear all about your loss … you have every right to express your emotions! Sometimes it helps just to talk about it! As you said, in spite of losing material things, trips, birthday celebrations ... yes, we all know they can be replaced, but the bottom line is you have each other and that’s all that counts!"

~ Joyce in Maryland

"What a heart-breaker of a month you've had ... OF COURSE, it could have been worse BUT that is not the issue here. The issue is that you are ENTITLED to feel what you are feeling. We know you will get thru it all BUT a pity-pot day, or several days, is OKAY. We know all those practical things in our intelligent minds, BUT it is your emotional mind that is at work right now ... and you need that part of you to heal. Sending positive thoughts and prayers to all of you in Florida. My friend just got to Sanibel Island to do damage control on the house they bought with their 'retirement' funds!! Keep snippeting. I think writing down what you are feeling is a healthy way to share feelings and venting."

~ joanne in new york

"Hi hi hi! It’s been a while! So sorry to hear of this awful devastation! I send you and Ken my deepest heart-warming thoughts for a speedy recovery in this aftermath. On another note, to uplift you, I just returned from three weeks in Europe. My first time ever! And my first time taking three weeks off! Italy: Verona, Venice, Florence, Rome. Then Mykonos and Paris! It was beyond! When you reschedule, YOUR TIME will be mahhhhhvelous and perfect!  Trust the process!" 

~ Love, Joyce in Arizona