Hug From A Stranger (By Way of Dried Fruit)

Do you know what this is?

I bet you guessed a plate of dried fruit.

And while you would be RIGHT, you would also be WRONG.

Because what it actually is, is a hug from a stranger.

David was outside working in the yard on Saturday when two people walked up.  They introduced themselves and chatted with him.  They told him they enjoy driving by our house very much.  They like the signs I hang, and the election project inspired them.  I could hear voices out there so peeked out the window, but was in the middle of doing something and did not go out.  But I WISH I had.

Because these people, these complete strangers, gifted us with this because display of dried fruit and an intricate, beautiful wooden bowl!!  They took time out of their lives to stop by, talk, and deliver an amazing present to perfect strangers!  Isn’t that amazing??

Luckily, they signed their name and address on the card so we know who to thank.  And I have found them on Facebook and friended them.   But I was just so honored and excited to be the recipient of this kindness. 

These people didn’t know what a hard couple of years we have had.  They didn’t know the anniversary of my dad’s death is creeping on the calendar. They didn’t know my sister and I have had to indefinitely postpone our trip to get our sister’s ashes made into artwork.  They likely do not know that my WHOLE JAM is spreading kindness, most often to strangers.  They didn’t KNOW.

But they took time to appreciate what they saw.  To be thankful.  And to interact.

And for that, I am ever so grateful.

Thank you for the hug, strangers.  It meant more than you can understand.

 

Special Veterans Day Kindness - Kindness Yard Sale Accounting

This is a special edition of Kindness Activist just for today, Veteran’s Day. 

Veterans Day is a day to celebrate all who have served in the United States Military.  Memorial Day is for those who have served who have passed away.  Even so, I like to honor veterans on both days by going to Arlington National Cemetery, which I am fortunate enough to live very close to.

Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) is a beautiful place.  The green grass.  The rows upon rows of headstones.  And, this time of year, the bright colors on the Autumn trees.

ANC is different than “home-town” cemeteries where families are buried together and loved ones live nearby and can go visit whenever they like.  Because it is an honor to be buried in ANC, many families make the decision to have their family member’s resting place there, even though it means they will not be close enough to visit the graves.  My family is buried in the Midwest and I cannot visit their graves frequently, so I feel for people who have loved ones they are missing in ANC but cannot come to pay their respects.

Because I am privileged to live so near the final place of rest for so many soldiers, I always try to share my good fortune in that regard with others.  We can drive into the cemetery because we have a special family pass, so in non-Covid times we always stop and pick up people who are walking and drive them to the grave they are looking for.  This year for Veterans Day, I asked in a Facebook group of people who live in Omaha (my hometown) if they would like me to visit a loved one for them.

I was pleased that people replied and gave me the names of their loved ones to visit.  We looked up where the gravesites were, bought flowers, pulled on rain boots for the weather, and headed to Arlington National Cemetery.

         

 I was humbled and honored to pay respects to:

            Michael Lindee, United States Marine Corps

            Henry A. Wiley, United States Navy

Kim De Cesare, United States Air Force

Thomas Tensley, United States Air Force

Christopher Parsons, United States Army

And my partner’s parents, Stanley (United States Army) and Dorothy Gaine

 

After visiting those graves we still had roses left.  I saw a man who I recognized from having driven by him earlier.  I knew he had been standing out in the rain under his umbrella visiting someone’s grave for a long time.  As I approached, I could see from his gestures that he was deep in conversation with his loved one.  I quietly approached and excused myself and asked if I might give his family member some roses.  He said yes and was very touched.  He explained that this was his father’s grave.  We had a nice chat about his father’s service and in the end, I gave the man a rose to take home, too.  He seemed like a very gentle, sweet, appreciative soul.

As I walked on, I saw a woman with 3 small children and a little puppy visiting a grave.  I approached and asked if I could give them flowers to leave.  The mother was very grateful – it turns out they were visiting her grandfather.  I had 3 roses left – one for each child to leave for their great-grandfather.

 

Like so many acts of kindness, this was a very simple gesture.  The flowers cost less than $10, but the kindness and love spread is valued at much, much more than that. 

Thank you, veterans. 

Thank you, families of veterans.

Your sacrifices and service to the country are appreciated.

 

Money used from Kindness Yard Sale funds:  $9.53