Do you like cookies?
Mmm. Me, too, and until yesterday, I had no idea the gifts that could come from some oats, cinnamon, raisins, and honey.
One of my really good friends is having some rough days. She lost her momma on Tuesday and said her goodbyes on Friday. In four days, her life flipped upside down.
I’ve pretty much been at a loss for what to do, so I did what I always do, I started cooking.
Three casseroles, some pork chops, a chocolate cake, and two bags full of cookies later, I was on my way to her house to drop it off.
We live about an hour apart and I left my rural area to get there. Where I take her exit off the highway, there are three lanes that turn left. I was sitting in the middle lane, several cars back from the red light.
Then, I saw him. A man was standing on the side of the road on my left and one car up. There weren’t any cars behind that car.
He held a cardboard sign, and honestly, I have no idea what it said. I just watched him. He was staring into that car beside him. Head held high, all vulnerabilities laid at his feet, and just staring.
Then, he turned his head to the left and looked down. And, my heart broke.
I can’t even imagine what that’s like. To be looking right at somebody and to not be seen. When I step into those imaginary shoes, my tears just run. They’re running now.
Well, there’s something you probably ought to know about me. It’s a lesson I learned about five years ago on the radio. A gal said, “If you get the urge to do something kind, just do it. Don’t question it.” Since then, I try live my life that way.
The light turned green and traffic started moving. Suddenly, I looked at my seat full of food, glanced in the mirror to see if it was safe, rolled down my window, and hollered,
“I don’t have any money, but I have cookies!”
You should have seen his face! Pure joy! It was that kind of happiness that can’t be duplicated or faked!
And, it’s like the timing was perfectly orchestrated. There was no car on my left, he was able to step across safely, and instead of the car behind me blaring their horn, they waited.
When I arrived at my friend’s house, I started telling her what happened to her second bag of cookies and in that moment, a tiny miracle happened:
A smile spread across her face.
I mean, this is someone who has spent a week in the grips of grief, has had her momma yanked away from her, who hasn’t slept in four days, and there she stood, SMILING.
Over cookies.
I love your philosophy and feel the same way. I try to be aware of those “kindness’ urges and act on them whenever possible. “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” Dalai Lama
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Hi there! Welcome! It’s so nice to meet another kindred soul! I love how you mentioned the Dalai Lama’s quote. That is a perfect summary! I’m glad you’re here!
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Jessica, It seems that I meet the most beautiful people through the comments of the beautiful people whom I’ve already met and follow as bloggers. The growth is exponential and I welcome every new kindred spirit with joy. Clare
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Thank is extremely thoughtful and kind! Thank you so much! I can’t wait to read more of your posts! I love your About section and that you wrote your book about your cat. :) We love cats! We have two and just had a sweet stray show up last week.
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Thank you. My posts are very eclectic, to say the least. I write about what my stream of consciousness is thinking when i sit down to do a post. I never really know what I’ll end up with???
I will soon have to do some revisions on my About page, I think, to bring it up to date. I hate making any changes for fear I’ll make technical mistakes and screw everything up.
I do love cats and all animals, for that matter. One of my favorites are alpacas and I have a few posts about the alpaca farm near me. I used some of the alpacas in ZuZu’s book. Twyla and Ginger , the baby chips, are her good friends.
I’m sure that little stray will show up in your posts soon. Have a great week end. Clare
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Aww, this brought tears to my eyes! How magical that you were able to do that! You brightened two people’s days with such a nice gesture!
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Hi Diane, you made a giant smile appear in my face right now! It was an amazing thing to be a part of. I get teary when I think about them. Both of those moments were so amazing. Thank you for your kind comment!
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It was such a nice thing of you to do! When I went to your site it seemed as though I was not following. I don’t know if I accidentally unchecked follow somehow but it should be okay now. WP is doing crazy things again maybe!
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Oh, that is weird. I wondered why I hadn’t heard from you earlier on this story. I figured you’d like it and you didn’t comment. Seemed strange. Sounds like you’re right.
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I know! It was a great story, too!
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Aw! Thanks you! It’s the one I mentioned on your Spam post. :)
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Lovely post, Jess. You are so kind, such a reaching, warm soul. You reach. <3
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Oh my goodness, Karen. That’s an awesome way to put it…
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<3
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It sounds like a book title! :)
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It does. :)
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I’m sharing this on Twitter, linking back to your blog, hope you don’t mind! This was the best thing I’ve heard in ages
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Oh my goodness. I am absolutely honored. And, teary. :) Thank you SO much!
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Well done! How inspirational to the rest of us. And now I have tears in my eyes
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That makes two of us. :)
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Hey I nominated you for an award, If you do not accept awards please stop by and check out the blogs I chose to share and and join my informal meet and greet! https://justaladywithablog.wordpress.com/2016/06/06/versatile-blogger-award/
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Hey girl! How incredibly kind of you! I still need to post the last award nomination from you! I’m sooooo Behind!! :)
Thank you for choosing me! Means a bunch to me!
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That’s funny no pressure this award is from, I think 3 months ago? So yea I know how it goes!
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Oh, glad to hear I’m not alone! Ha! :)
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I hear you!
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You’re right Jess, I needed that kleenex. I knew there was a reason I loved you so much, you are one of the kindest people I’ve met … and I haven’t even met you. But I feel as though I’ve known you for years. What a wonderful gift you gave … to the man on the road who probably was shown the first ray of sunshine and to your friend who badly needed to smile. Beautiful. :)
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I feel like I’ve known you for years, too. My whole life, really. I knew you’d get teary because ever time I read it, my cheeks are wet. I wish you would have been with me, Miri. To see his face when he looked away and down. Such defeat. It was crushing… Then, on the flip side, to see extreme joy on that same face. Took my breath. It’s sooooo true: you just never know when a kindness will affect somebody or how. Cookies. :) I love you too, soul sister! You just get me. Mush and all!
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You made me tear up again! But in a good way. :) You’re such a kind soul Jess. Big, big hug to you. xox (Wish my silly lap top had more symbols to express my feelings, but you know how I feel.)
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No symbols needed, Miri. Oceans can’t stop soul sisters. :) My eyes are teared up too! ❤️
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Ha! Good answer! Maybe when we’ve been friends awhile… :)
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What a heartwarming story, Jessica. You sound like such a kind and sensitive person. I’m so glad you could make two people smile with your random acts of kindness. *hugs*
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Hugs back! ❤️ What you said means a lot to me. Thank you for reading. Funny how sometimes stories just pour out. :) It was somethin’ to see, I’ll tell you what.
PS I’m serious about those cinnamon rolls!
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😛
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This is sad and sweet at the same time. You made that man smile. And then you managed to put a smile on your friend’s face – despite her profound sadness over the loss of her mum. You’re a sweetheart!
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You’re right. It is sad, with a hint of sweet. I cry every time I think about it. Those mixed up tears that are happy, yet salted over with heartache. Thank you for your sweet words. :)
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Don’t cry, hun. I’d like to think that the man thinks of you as the cookie fairy, and your friend… well, your friend loves you because she knows she can count on you no matter what. xx
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You made me smile! :) The cookie fairy! I love that! You are an amazing person. If we were neighbors, I’d hug you!
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Awww, thank you! xxxx
If we were neighbours, we both wouldn’t get any housework done because we’d be chatting, laughing, occasionally crying, and hugging all the time. Oh, and if you were my neighbour, you’d be my manicure guinea pig so there would be no way that either one of us would be able to do anything productive at all… :D
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Oh man, that sounds amazing. Truly! I’m in! Too bad that ocean is in the way… I can just picture us having a time and a half. I’d want those under the sea nails! Love those! 💗
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I’ll try to squeeze in a stamping tutorial post some time soon. Really soon!
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Please do!! I’d never even heard of it before your blog!
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My goodness, girl. Just read the lyrics. My cup runneth over.
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Jessica, that’s SO sweet. You are such a dear person!
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I have a feeling you’d be sitting in that seat beside me, handing me those cookies…
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I would do that!!!
I just heard the song by Alabama – Angels Among Us. I thought of you! Listen to it!
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Oh my goodness, you thought of me??? I’ve never even heard of that song. Just the title made me smile and tear up at the same time. Going to look it up!
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I could use some cookies right now too.
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What your address? :)
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Saddsville..
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Oh no. Please tell me it’s not Vinny.
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Just posted, not vinny
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Whew. Let me look.
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you’re the best- a kind soul and a good friend. You made two people with little reason to smile, smile today.
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You made my tears faucets start up again. :)
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