Mrs. Obrien was utterly lovely.

She lived Mother Theresa’s words, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” That was her life, doing the things within her reach well, being attentive to the needs of those around her.

As her neighbor, I was a recipient of her kindness. She put trinkets, wonton-making lessons, jokes, and warm hospitality into my childhood. I watched her do the same for others.

Life is made of mostly small things: little events, short trips, simple meals, quick visits. Even the big happenings of life, like weddings and moving, vacations and births, are made up of little things like parking cars, paying bills, making phone calls and conversing with strangers.

We can greatly affect people’s lives when we put love into those little things. We can be patient while waiting in long lines. We can be gracious to the seemingly careless driver who cuts us off. We can remember to say “Thanks” and mean it. We can offer help when we see a stranger struggling.

Love is a verb. It’s action. It is the mark of a Christian.

Love is in the little things.