Kindlandia: Kindness Matters When You’re Hungry!

Hi Edythe,
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For some unknown reason I have not been sleeping well this week. I’ve awakened at 2, 3, or 4 a.m. and not been able to go back to sleep. Consequently, my mind and body feel muddled! I’m sure it is some odd phase and will pass. Meanwhile, I had commitments to honor.

This week I had a book signing scheduled. It was at Scott Ward and Cameron Vail’s unique home gifts shop Current and Furbish, up in Fairhaven, a two-hour drive north. I had arranged to join Peggy Sullivan, another children’s book author, for the 4th Friday Fairhaven Art Walk. We met at the Chanticleer Awards Dinner this past spring. Peggy and I both were winners in the Little Peeps Children’s Books Category. We thought we’d make a good team with her Cat and my Dog books. She cleverly invited the community to come visit the Corner of Cats & Dogs! The day passed quickly as we welcomed curious shoppers. One conversation with an eight-year-old girl was especially endearing. I asked if she was a writer. She replied that not only was she writing, but she was illustrating her book, too! She said her book was titled, Bucky, and was a story about a white rabbit. I told her we were the Corner of Cats and Dogs. Maybe one day when her book is done, it will include Bunnies, too!

However, when the event was done, so was I. Because the Art Walk goes from 5–8 p.m., Thomas and I needed to stop for a bite to eat on our way home. We pulled into one of our favorite Panera Bread Shops located between Bellingham and Edmonds. As we walked up to the cashier we were informed that they were closing. I was by then feeling very tired, very cold, and very hungry. It must have shown on my face. The cashier said, “If you don’t mind us starting to clean around you, we’d be glad to take your order and you are welcome to sit and eat your meal here.” Thom and I were so relieved and appreciative of her consideration. I ordered a bowl of hot soup and some delicious bread and was informed the bread had already been put away. I said how much I liked bread in my soup, but it seemed that would not be possible. I had begun eating my soup, when a worker rushed out and said, “We found a piece of focaccia bread!” The willingness of the staff to let us order our meal and then the extra effort of kindness for the slice of bread was what we needed to give us that second wind to drive home safely and made for a lovely ending to a lovely day.

Edythe, as I reviewed my photos for this post, I found a picture I took of a “Kindness Matters” fabric square I gifted you from Mendocino. It was perfect. Yes, Kindness Matters. And sometimes even the smallest of kindnesses: a bowl of soup, a cup of hot tea, and a slice of bread can make all the difference.