At this very moment I am wondering: What happened to the fall season? It seems as if our climate wants to make a point by shocking us with abrupt temperature changes. I stepped outside after class on Thursday and IT WAS SNOWING! Living in college dorms rooms that are surrounded by brick walls and waiting for the heat to be turned on certainly doesn't help. It's a good thing that there are many other ways to find warmth on campus (and I'm not just talking about the heated blanket that my roommate so graciously let me borrow). There is an inner warmth that can often be found in daily interaction with others. There are many students, faculty, and staff that make a memorable impact in the lives of others through their kind words and actions. One person that comes to mind when I think of kindness is....Veronica!!

Veronica works in our cafeteria and has a gift of making every single person that she encounters feel special. She is the true definition of beauty and her smile can light up a room. There is no doubt that almost everyone on campus knows her by name. Veronica is typically seen in the cafeteria serving meals or, more commonly, in the hallway swiping student ID cards. She turns a tedious task into a memorable experience for students because she calls each one by name and by the the end of the year, she doesn't even have to look at the card to get it right. This simple action shows students that she truly cares for them as individuals. Not only does she greet hundreds of students, but she engages in conversation and invests her time and energy into their lives. Veronica is a true role model and a great example of how to treat others and give them the positive attention that they deserve. Veronica warms my heart every time I see her and the small things that she says each day have a large impact on my life.

This past week has been one of my busiest weeks this semester and even though I have been overwhelmed with classes, work, and meetings, it is not hard to recognize the people who add that little bit of warmth to my stressful days. It's easy to dwell on the negative aspects of life, but there is so much good in the world and on the SVC campus. The next time you are feeling cold or disheveled in your mind and actions, remember the times that others have brought warmth into your life and try to be that warmth for others.