I arrived at college and knew no one, and hadn't been able to make any connections in my first month there. I wandered into Hillel, where they were setting up for a party, and a boy there, with no knowledge of me at all, just handed me a pile of balloons. It was the first time I felt like I fit. There's no extended story. But I never stopped appreciating that. And he thought he just needed help with the balloons. Small things matter.
Balloons
Can you help with these balloons?
I don't know you,
at least not yet.
You are not quite in this circle,
but you're here.
So can you help with these balloons?
I know, I know, the price of showing up early--
bust a gut forcing air into latex,
and it's just going to be popped
five minutes into the festivities.
What brings you here? Really?
I never heard of that.
I've always been here,
but don't hold that against me,
it's not like I lock the door.
Have you celebrated with us before?
So why now? Really?
We've been talking for fifteen minutes.
Maybe I should ask your name.
But we're behind on the balloons.
Look, though--someone else is coming.
Hey... can you help with these balloons?