Being Human--Being Kind

 Looking out to the back yard this morning as I ate my breakfast, I saw that it was a beautiful October day, so welcome after a couple of rainy days! I decided I would walk to the nearby mall, get some groceries and my flu and Covid immunizations. I have a lovely cart that I take along and every time I go shopping the groceries fit into it perfectly. Unfortunately, the last time I used it, one of the wheels fell off, and I was at a loss as to how to fix it. I couldn't possibly do without it as I sold my car to my grandson. I went to my kind neighbour with it and the next morning it was sitting on my doorstep, ready to be used again!

I went to the drugstore first, as the most important  item was the immunization. I was hoping they would take me as a walk-in. I was told that the pharmacist had several other clients and I might have to make an appointment. However, they would check. The pharmacist kindly agreed to squeeze me in between other appointments. She was  friendly and accommodating and took her time to explain everything to me. In ten minutes everything was done! I bought myself some Lindor chocolates (the dark ones are my favorite) as a treat and went on to the grocery store. 

The grocery  store was really busy, but the clerk, even though she had a lineup, took time to pack my grocery cart for me (the one my neighbour fixed ) and off I went. 

At home, after I put everything away, I thought about the difference kindness makes in my life. These small acts I experienced today show me that people care. I picked up my daily newspaper and read an article about what I had just experienced in my own life. The article was called "being human--by choice." and discussed the children's television host, Fred Rogers:

Mr. Rogers knew that how we treat each other matters, not because it's polite or proper, but because it's how we create the kind of world we actually want to live in. His genius wasn't in the specific lessons he taught, but in how he made kindness, patience, honesty, and gentleness feel like the most essential ways to be human...I see people giving back even when they're struggling themselves. I watch neighbours show up for each other in ways that no one will write articles about. I notice the thoughtful gestures, the way people offer presence and understanding when someone needs it most. These aren't heroic acts. They're the everyday choices  that shape how we experience living together. ..What I find myself wondering is whether we'll choose to make it a priority, whether we'll decide human decency is worth wanting. Carina Blumgrund.

 

I have experienced many other acts of kindness from strangers, from my own family and from my church family: A sister who lets me know whenever she goes to Costco, daughters who call me daily, people who give me rides to church, my pastor who just mentioned a book by one of my favorite authors, and had it in my mail box the next Sunday... it's causing serious sleep deprivation!