Life is just full of surprises, or so it seems. I make this statement with some hesitation because although I believe this to be true I also see these surprises as things that I knew deep in the core and it is just in their surfacing that I am surprised.

In a way it is like those connect the dots games that are on every kids menu. You kind of know what the picture is going to be when all the dots are connected [Ed: It's Doctor Zaius] but when you finally see it you are, nonetheless, surprised.

The other day my daughter told me how much she liked the perfume I had in the bottle shaped like an eight. I had to think about what scent she was talking about, which took me to how and why I had started to use it. Bijan is the fragrance I had started to use long before my daughter was born. Anytime I realize I have been doing something for years, I am taken aback; it is a small reminder to me of the time that I have transcended.

Here is the dot. Prior to my daughters comment I had been looking for the person who had introduced me to Bijan those many years ago in Facebook, found her but had not sent a message. Now she came up again.
Bijan, she had said goes great with the smell of smoke. We both smoked cigarettes at the time and although I had never thought about choosing my fragrance based on its ability to blend with the smell of smoke, I realized this was brilliant.
I admired my beautiful, charismatic friend. All that met her loved her. She had a gift, she was interesting, driven, creative, funny and most of all she was generous. She gave her attention, and love to others, which made people feel warm and fuzzy, and in return people loved her back.

She was my boss many years ago, taught me about people, believed in me, and helped me believe in myself. We struggled through a hotel opening, had lots of fun, learned a lot, drank red wine and had great lunches at a little Italian restaurant on Green St. (I wish I remembered the name) [ED: One of these?].

You never know how things are going to turn out or what kind of effect you are going to have on others. I am sure neither of us knew that 20 years after the perfume conversation that there would be a moment of connectedness gifted to me by her when my teen shared a love of a scent.

We should never think of ourselves as inconsequential, the things that we do and even think could have an effect on others and change the outcome. Just like the pebble dropped into a calm lake, the smallest things can have the biggest effect.

I have discovered, responding to comments from the guests at the Stanford Terrace Inn, when I must evaluate our deficiencies and find solutions, although difficult I am most satisfied. We cannot always fix the problems that we have but a kind word, and a true desire to make things the best that they can be is often rewarded by much kindness in return.

So would like to thank my friend from long ago for the gifts and insights she has given me. Not to mention all my guests who take the time to help us be the best place to stay when visiting Palo Alto.

Shanti to all,

Barbara