I was sick several days last week. Nothing serious, just a persistent cold. I’m not sure how I caught it, perhaps from my son in Missouri or my daughter in Georgia. They both had been suffering for a week or more. I read that once a person becomes a parent, he/she will never again be any happier than his/her most unhappy child. It must be true; I caught their colds through the phone lines.

An illness, even such a minor one, brings out the best in one’s friends. Thank you to Demi and Kathy at the library who saw to it that my three big boxes of Christmas gifts got shipped on time. And, thanks, too, to Linda, friend and neighbor, who brought orange juice and dog food so Brady and I could stay at home another day without spreading germs to the whole town, and for asking if I had enough to read.

Thinking about how nice people are brought to mind a book I read recently. The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness by Linda Kaplan and Robin Koval. I may have written about it earlier. This little book reaffirms the reasons that we are nice to one another. I asked each staff member to read it, so we have two copies. Give it a try; it will make you feel good inside.

Several other books along the mind/body theme have just arrived at the library. If your spirits are down, or you have something difficult to deal with, or Santa only left lumps of coal in you stocking, you might want to stop by to check them out:

Quiet Mind:A Beginner’s Guide to Meditation by Susan Piver. This tiny book contains six simple lessons to practice to learn to meditate. Included is an instruction cd. Among the six lessons are tranquility, practice of clear seeing, and the practice of loving kindness. Who doesn’t need more of those?

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle. The cover of this one says it will show how to transcend ego to find personal happiness and end conflict That sounds like something we all can use.

A Healing Touch: True Stories of Life, Death and Hospice edited by Richard Russo.

Barbara & Susan’s Guide to the Empty Nest: Discovering New Purpose, Passion & Your Next Great Adventure by Barbara Rainey & Susan Yates. Aren’t we all looking for that “next great adventure”?

You Don’t Have to Be Wrong For Me to Be Right by Brad Hirschfield. I saw the author interviewed on television recently. He seemed very wise for a young(ish) man. I’m looking forward to reading this book.

Unstuck: Your Guide to the Seven-Stage Journey Out of Depression by James Gordon. The reviews and recommendations on the book jacket are all by well-respected doctors and authors. This book has something to offer.

Comfort: A Journey Through Grief by Ann Hood. Following the unexpected death of her small daughter, Ann Hood fell into deep grief. In this book she writes of the places her family found comfort during the grieving process. I opened this one to read a page or two. Ten minutes later I could barely pull myself away to finish typing. I’ll finish it and have it back on the shelf before you read this article. I’m warning you: it grips a mother’s heart.