The Kindness of Strangers

II’ve been trying to do a little bit of landscaping in my front yard lately, and today, I had to go back to Lowe’s and pick up two more very heavy terra cotta pavers. A friendly employee lifted them onto my cart, and told me he liked my blouse - that it reminded him of “that blue and white china from a long time ago.” "Delft,” I told him. “Oh, is that what it’s called? I’ve always loved it,” he said.

He went on his way, and I got into the long check out line. While I was standing there, the man in front of me (about my age) looked at the two pavers and said, “Oh, so close.” I burst out laughing and said “ yeah, just two more and I would have been done with this project.” A few seconds later he said, would you like help getting these into your car?” I told him I’d just been thinking how the hell I was going to get these loaded, and yes, I’d really appreciate the assistance, and who said that chivalry was dead. He laughed and said, “It’s a different world now,” and I had to agree. He walked me out to my car, hoisted the tiles into the trunk, then offered to take the cart back.

The entire encounter took just a few minutes, but I have to believe that the Universe keeps nudging us towards each other rather than away, and that the kindness of strangers is reason enough to keep hope in our hearts. At least, that’s what I’ll continue to tell myself…and others.

Oh, and for what it’s worth, If this post is too sugary sweet for you, just know that five minutes later I flipped a bird at the guy who raced around me on the highway, only to get no further than the stop light right in front of me…