Yes, my dock is in a new home, floating for a change. And I am glad that the folks at Peach Brandy Cottage are enjoying it. I actually had five people who were interested, but Caroline was the first respondent.

When I received her thank-you e-mail, she shared a “giving” story, which is worth passing on. A few months ago, she decided to give away an unused piano and offered it to the high school. When Spencer Wright and Grady Turner came to get it, they said it was like a miracle. Knowing Spencer, he probably called it an answer to prayer.

For the school’s upcoming musical production, they had been in desperate need of a piano - with few funds for purchasing one, so her decision was indeed a timely one for them. Caroline may now feel that getting the dock was a kind of repayment.

It is always gratifying to be able to give something that brings happiness to someone. We should look for more opportunities to do that, and it doesn’t really need to be an expensive present.

Also gratifying is being able to thank someone who has been helpful or inspirational, perhaps without even knowing. We also should take the opportunity to do that more often. It certainly is happily received by the recipient of such expressions.

Last Saturday, I had one of those experiences when I went to the centennial celebration of the chartering of my little hometown and had an opportunity to visit with some who were my students when I, an ignorant inexperienced teenager, first started teaching school. (No, that was not quite a century ago.) It was surprising enough even to be remembered after all these years, and especially to be complimented.

It was a good time for a happy experience because earlier in the week I’d had just the opposite. (My immediate family and some friends understand that reference.)

However, because I had a calendar filled with a number of scheduled activities, I just went on with my daily living, and I believe that is the best advice.

Sometimes ordinary routine and normal interactions can combat what might be a depressive situation.

As I talked with my recently-widowed friend, I found myself repeating similar counsel: Stay involved, particularly with other people, and things do get better.

Hurts do not heal immediately and clouds do not suddenly dissipate, but we can help make our own lives worth living - and perhaps those of others, also.

Helen Taylor’s column appears periodically in the Dawson Community News.