little things

it's never the big things that keep us going
it's always the little things
what happens behind the scenes
the unheralded actions

like
waiting for a question
waiting on an answer
waiting for a moment
that will set you free.

like
a compliment when least expected
but most needed;
or a smile that lights up the day
when everything is a shade of gray .

like
the comforting silence
when words just won't do
and listening without a word
when venting is overdue.

it's not the big things
it's not the historic events
that get us through
it's the little things