A Little Kindness Matters
Just yesterday I ordered two dozen eggs from a neighbor who lovingly tends a good-sized brood of chickens. She confirmed that she had them and kindly offered to walk them down our gravel road to deliver them. This was certainly kind.
As it happened, I took my grandson Lucas out back to water our string bean and canteloupe plants. He wore those cute little rain boots that come up to his knees and wanted to help hold the squeezer (is that a real name for it?) on the hose to help me spray. Because these moments are magical, I try not to hurry them. While we were outside, the eggs were delivered as promised. When we came back in to the house, my daughter-in-law let me know they were in the kitchen waiting for me. It was a little disappointing that I didn’t get to see my neighbor, especially after she went the extra mile and carried them over herself. But, it was as it was, and I couldn’t be both places at once. So, I sent Christy a quick “thank you” text.
We moved on with our family time and once they left, I shifted to powerwashing the deck. Surely you are jealous of such work! It was at least two and a half hours before I headed in to rinse off and figure out what I would have for supper. It was leftover night. When I walked into the kitchen and partially cleared the island of the crap build-up, I realized there was an adorable arrangment of flowers in the middle. I hadn’t seen them before because as I said, I was preoccupied and there were dish towels, mail, and typical items for a catch-all space. If you don’t have such a counter, or two, please don’t ruin my dillusion by telling me it isn’t supposed to be this way.
It took me a couple of moments, as admired the wild flower bouquet, to figure out where they came from—who they came from. Christy, my neighbor carried them up the road along with the eggs. How precious is that? They offer their cheerful faces, bright colors, and generally happy nature to make my living space sweeter. You can see them in their adorableness on the entry spot for this post. But, even above the cheer that they give, it makes me feel extra special that my friend took the time and effort to create this cheerful gift. I can image that it gave her great joy to collect the little beauties and arrange them in the rustic alluminum can and place it’s twine tie around it, creating a little treasure. Then she gathered up her delivery and headed over. Such deliberate acts of kindness touch the recipient, letting them know that someone cares enough to share time, thought, and effort, because they believe it will make you smile and bring you joy.
I’m still smiling.
But, you know, it makes the world better when we are givers, too, because it shifts our focus off our ourselves and circumstances, and provides a different pathway for experiencing the world. A place where kindness happens. A place where millions of happy flower faces of every color and shape and size grace us with their presence. A world that isn’t all about ourselves but can be about making the world good for others, too.
Neighbors and friends who share time, conversation, help, food, smiles, hugs, plant starts, household items that are no longer used—these good folks are my reminders that acts of kindness matter. And, if you see my post, thank you, Christy!
