Be Kind

Thinking of and praying for the people of France today. Such a broken, broken world. 

Yet, there is goodness.

Paris, 2009. My mother, my sister and I headed for the train station via the Metro. Going down the many stairs to the subway was a challenge with our luggage. A young Frenchman ran quickly down the stairs past us. At the bottom he stopped, turned around, ran back up, grabbed my mother's suitcase and took it all the way down for her. 

There are wonderful and beautiful things to see and do in Paris. But, this unexpected kindness from a complete stranger will be one of my most enduring memories of that beautiful city.

Be kind to each other.   

Gathering

 The elements of nature brought into my home are changing. Green gives way to more subtle shades. On our weekend excursion, I collected a bouquet of gull feathers, white and grey. They sit on my mantel, nestled into the curve of a piece of driftwood garnished with a brown leaf.

Color exists elsewhere; seen here in a box of reusable sandwich/snack bags I've been stitching for an upcoming craft fair. My daughter-in-law requested some last year, and I'd intended to make more - they make great stocking stuffers - but have only gotten around to the project now. Some are listed in my Etsy shop. Lined with water resistant nylon, they make a good alternative to plastic bags. I've been avoiding plastic as much as possible for several years now.
 

Lavender grows well here and this summer I harvested a fair bit of it, then combined it with dried rose petals from my roses to fill some simple sachets. I've had these pretty bits of fabric and lace tucked away ever since a swap with Jane of Marigold Jam a few years ago. I like using old damask linen napkins from the thrift store for sachets, too.

I was at the fabric store yesterday. The young girl who cut my fabric folded it all so neatly, taking care to see that each piece was stacked with corners matching. When I commented on it, she said that she likes to think that presenting the fabric in its best light will cause the customer to think of it as a gift. 

An action like that just makes me want to treat others as best I can, too. Have you recently been treated well by someone unexpected?


 

Most people are kind

Be kind to one another...

Late Saturday morning. Little Miss S is napping upstairs while her parents take the day to celebrate their anniversary. The house is quiet, with Casey's parents (his father arrived yesterday) and his wife at the hospital. Tim is outside, doing some yard work, so I thought I'd take a few minutes to give you an update.

First of all, thank you so much for your well wishes and your prayers. Casey is improving, but his full recovery is going to be a long and arduous process. No one is saying much about when he will be released from hospital. In the meantime, we are just trying to be encouraging and supportive. I've been taking some meals up to the hospital for the family, and generally keeping the home front going. Our local friends have offered so much help - someone is bringing fresh home baking over later this afternoon. Strangers have offered help. Truly, most people are kind. 

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. I'm privileged to have a wonderful mother and a wonderful mother-in-law who are both examples to me on how to show kindness to others. I love them so much. 

Be kind to someone today. You may never know what it may mean to them.