Yesterday someone served me a piece of lemon meringue pie with a birthday candle in it. After she served it, she sang the Happy Birthday song (which I normally detest) but she sang it with the sweetest voice – it was a genuine act of love. This gesture took me back to another time and place when someone else touched my world for a moment in time.
Years ago my husband and I took a cruise to Alaska. When we made port in Juneau, thousands of people were debarking to visit the city, kayak, take hikes, sight see, take photos, and fly fish and all those other wonderful activities.
Instead of being part of that crowd, we were exiting the ship with my husband on a gurney into a waiting ambulance. In a sea of thousands of people I stood alone. Then I heard a woman with a deep husky voice say to me, “It looks like you need a hug honey” and I was wrapped in an embrace that held me as if I were a wounded child. This hug triggered tears that were lodged in my throat so I could be strong. She told me everything would be ok and I hoped with all my heart that she was right.
The ambulance was waiting for me and the woman let me go and melted into the crowd.
That was the same feeling I received yesterday at the café. As she was singing to me, her kind eyes took me back to Juneau.
This brief moment in time was utterly lovely. It made me realize that we are all connected in ways we can’t imagine. We say kind words and make someone’s day. We acknowledge someone as they enter a room and their life becomes fuller. We sneer and that wounded feeling is remembered years later.
Kindness is easy to give, wonderful to receive and the feeling lasts a lifetime. Those sweet eyes and lovely song made my day.
Have you ever had an encounter like this? What was it like?
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Happily ... after retirement 
oh Marge…this brought tears to my eyes…What a bitter sweet memory to have risen. I know you send out these random acts of sweetness often, it’s in your lovely nature.
happy birthday
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Mmmmm….sending warm and loving birthday wishes. So grateful that you had such a warm encounter and that the love you received in Juneau is still with you today. ❤
Deb
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Hi Steph, It was such an unexpected vibration that was emanating from this chance connection. And I had to look down to hide my wet eyes. Funny how the curtain of time is so easily lifted.
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Hi,
Happy Birthday, and what a wonderful thought to put a candle on the pie for you, and even sing Happy Birthday, I think that is just great. 🙂
What a wonderful thing that lady did offering you some comfort, it would of been a very stressful time I should imagine.
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Who would have thought that hug in Juneau would have been felt again on my birthday – 9 years later? No doubt about it – I am blessed.
I love when you chime in …
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Hi Magsn2 – you are right, it was wonderful yesterday and stressful so long ago. I hope to leave tidbits of kindness for people on a daily basis — just because.
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Just love those times…What’s good is that you noticed the blessings you received…and I’m sure by the way you talk…you pass these kind of moments onto others…Great post…makes us aware of true happiness…~mkg
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Happy Birthday. What blessed memories to have and to share.
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people reach out to us in kindness and bring tears or a smile and bless us for a lifetime. Happy Birthday!
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Happy Birthday It sounds like you had a good day. Kindness doesn’t have to be anything grand and it doesn’t have to be done with a ceremony but it always touches the heart.
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How wonderful that you received such warmth and comfort in a time of need. I call people like this woman “earthly angels.” May your husband recover and get well soon.
Blessings – Maxi
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I love this; it’s so amazing when people do random acts of kindness such as this. I wish we could all remember to do these things in our daily lives…
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You’re my little sister. And being with you in person, or skype when we’re far apart, I always feel your hug….. You have no idea how special you are….
Thank-you!
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It’s so easy to scoff at the simple gestures and then abort them because “they don’t count.”
Thanks for a beautiful and touching reminder that they DO count, perhaps more than anything.
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What a beautiful post 🙂 I always try to have a positive effect on the lives of others, especially those who may be lonely, I was always taught that a smile costs nothing!
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MargeKatherine, First of the that lemon meringue pie reminded me of an aunt’s amazing lemon meringue pies…they were huge and DELICIOUS.
It is amazing how much a small act of kindness, a smile, a hug can make someone’s day. Your story really touched my heart.
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Thanks for your comment Marilyn – I enjoy creating moments likes these, don’t you? And it’s wonderful to receive them as well!
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Thanks Joss – And on to a year filled with wisdom!
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Happy Birthday to you as well! I hope you had a wonderful celebration as well!!
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Thanks for your kind words Maxi.
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I agree! Perhaps I need to add that to my No Comfort Zone Challenge – and in fact I will. I will create 5 opportunities of giving this week – just because!
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Skype is truly a gift, isn’t it? I feel lucky every time I use it… Thanks for your sweet comments!
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Yes, one sweet gesture so long ago came right back to the surface … amazing. Love truly has no time limitations!
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And a smile is such a warm invitation!
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Thanks Ann – it was out of my comfort zone to share it and I am glad I did!
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I understand. Sometimes we do feel uncomfortable sharing our feelings and some of our experiences…in many cases because we feel no one would care. That is the blessing of blogging and sharing within our blogging family 🙂 We care about each other. Blessings to you.
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Great MargeKatherine! I look forward to reading about them!
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A late, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Marge, Happy Birthday to you.
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