Today was a God day - everywhere I looked was the Divine and I was in awe - and non-stop smiles.
Slept fitfully, woke up at 2 a.m. and didn't really return to slumberland.
Up and out before 8:30 a.m. - Starbucks.
"Good morning! Quad grande, skinny, soy, caramel macchiato, please."
A smiling response from the speaker, "You haven't been in for awhile! $6.85 - see you at the window."
The window barriesta peeked out the window and gave me a wave.
Great way to start a heart happy day.
Next - post office - closing chapters and shipping items to Texas. Mind you, I was at the post office yesterday and met a lovely clerk who had lost her voice but helped me pick out some snow themed stamps. In the midst of our conversation yesterday, we both realized we were born in Odessa, Texas. (I'm still smiling about this.) Today, I walk up to the counter and she - Dede - walks me through the best option for shipping and says - "You want stamps today?" ... she had a happy grin...
"Nope - you helped me pick out great stamps yesterday." She shook with a laugh and said, "I remember! You take care."
Next up - Natural Grocers. Needed small, single serving bone broth servings, pork skins, jalapenos and avocados. Checking out and I began bagging my items - the young man - early 20s - likely not even 21 - Lawrence - was very appreciative of my bagging while he rung me up. "Thank you," he said. "Often people stand there and don't help."
Me, "Happy to help. Thanks for being here today."
Him, "I worked construction for awhile - and what I learned was you should never watch anyone struggling."
Me.
(me.)
Woah. That was crazy great deep from this young guy.
"Thank you - you're right - wow - that's true for so much in life."
He put his hands together at his chest and gave me the most beautiful namaste bow.
In the middle of these errands I was talking to a friend in Missouri. He said, "If you're going to get new sneakers, go to a place where they can fit you and take into account your re-built ankle and recently broken (2 years) other ankle. Don't go to a canned chain."
BUT - I was right by a canned chain. I will just go look - I need some sneakers - like 3 years late for good sneakers.
Walked in - a very tall young man approached me, "How can I help you today?" Folks, my usual canned response is to say, "just looking... thank you!" ... but I took a chance and said, "Hired a trainer, I have a rebuilt ankle and broke the other ankle a few years ago. Desperately need new shoes."
....
He said, "My mom broke both ankles - I know exactly what you need." Throughout my shoe walking/buying experience he checked on me - he offered more recommendations and then came back with some inserts that he recommended to decrease the "impact" of my future efforts. Checking out - I complimented him and told him of my friend's reservations, he replied, "Our store has a bad rap for not caring - but I've been a runner for 18 years and I have worked very hard to know what shoes are best for people who need my input."
Dude. You rock. Thanks Troy. You made my shoe buying experience phenomenal.
Next, a local craft shop to pick up quilting needles. I keep losing, breaking or bending them. If you go and get quilting needles you have to cruise by the fabric. It's a problem now. I recognize it. Fabric is my new crafting crack. Standing there admiring the different fabrics, I said to a woman next to me, "I don't need one bit of fabric - yet here I stand." That one sentence turned into a beautiful story of a woman who has been fighting cancer for 7 years, has been quilting for 11 years, and who could do nothing but encourage my future quilting efforts, sing praises about the company I work for (and am passionate about) and she told me a most amazing story of her supportive husband, fantastic quilting retreats and we realized we shared a friend in common. Debbie - thank you for sharing your story and beautiful spirit. Your hugs were on point for my amazing morning.
Last stop - hold onto yourself - y'all know I'm not a fan of fast-food - but... I love me some Taco Bell. Waited in a long line - ordered 2 crispy tacos - got to the window and looked behind me. "Can I pay for the 2 people behind me who have already ordered?" The woman at the drive-thru grinned a conspirtal grin at me, "you so can," she responded.
All of this was before noon and in that small time period I was renewed - and felt incredibly blessed.
Montana - just when I think I can't do this alone anymore - you breathe the best life into me.
Happy Saturday. Really.
§
Slept fitfully, woke up at 2 a.m. and didn't really return to slumberland.
Up and out before 8:30 a.m. - Starbucks.
"Good morning! Quad grande, skinny, soy, caramel macchiato, please."
A smiling response from the speaker, "You haven't been in for awhile! $6.85 - see you at the window."
The window barriesta peeked out the window and gave me a wave.
Great way to start a heart happy day.
Next - post office - closing chapters and shipping items to Texas. Mind you, I was at the post office yesterday and met a lovely clerk who had lost her voice but helped me pick out some snow themed stamps. In the midst of our conversation yesterday, we both realized we were born in Odessa, Texas. (I'm still smiling about this.) Today, I walk up to the counter and she - Dede - walks me through the best option for shipping and says - "You want stamps today?" ... she had a happy grin...
"Nope - you helped me pick out great stamps yesterday." She shook with a laugh and said, "I remember! You take care."
Next up - Natural Grocers. Needed small, single serving bone broth servings, pork skins, jalapenos and avocados. Checking out and I began bagging my items - the young man - early 20s - likely not even 21 - Lawrence - was very appreciative of my bagging while he rung me up. "Thank you," he said. "Often people stand there and don't help."
Me, "Happy to help. Thanks for being here today."
Him, "I worked construction for awhile - and what I learned was you should never watch anyone struggling."
Me.
(me.)
Woah. That was crazy great deep from this young guy.
"Thank you - you're right - wow - that's true for so much in life."
He put his hands together at his chest and gave me the most beautiful namaste bow.
In the middle of these errands I was talking to a friend in Missouri. He said, "If you're going to get new sneakers, go to a place where they can fit you and take into account your re-built ankle and recently broken (2 years) other ankle. Don't go to a canned chain."
BUT - I was right by a canned chain. I will just go look - I need some sneakers - like 3 years late for good sneakers.
Walked in - a very tall young man approached me, "How can I help you today?" Folks, my usual canned response is to say, "just looking... thank you!" ... but I took a chance and said, "Hired a trainer, I have a rebuilt ankle and broke the other ankle a few years ago. Desperately need new shoes."
....
He said, "My mom broke both ankles - I know exactly what you need." Throughout my shoe walking/buying experience he checked on me - he offered more recommendations and then came back with some inserts that he recommended to decrease the "impact" of my future efforts. Checking out - I complimented him and told him of my friend's reservations, he replied, "Our store has a bad rap for not caring - but I've been a runner for 18 years and I have worked very hard to know what shoes are best for people who need my input."
Dude. You rock. Thanks Troy. You made my shoe buying experience phenomenal.
Next, a local craft shop to pick up quilting needles. I keep losing, breaking or bending them. If you go and get quilting needles you have to cruise by the fabric. It's a problem now. I recognize it. Fabric is my new crafting crack. Standing there admiring the different fabrics, I said to a woman next to me, "I don't need one bit of fabric - yet here I stand." That one sentence turned into a beautiful story of a woman who has been fighting cancer for 7 years, has been quilting for 11 years, and who could do nothing but encourage my future quilting efforts, sing praises about the company I work for (and am passionate about) and she told me a most amazing story of her supportive husband, fantastic quilting retreats and we realized we shared a friend in common. Debbie - thank you for sharing your story and beautiful spirit. Your hugs were on point for my amazing morning.
Last stop - hold onto yourself - y'all know I'm not a fan of fast-food - but... I love me some Taco Bell. Waited in a long line - ordered 2 crispy tacos - got to the window and looked behind me. "Can I pay for the 2 people behind me who have already ordered?" The woman at the drive-thru grinned a conspirtal grin at me, "you so can," she responded.
All of this was before noon and in that small time period I was renewed - and felt incredibly blessed.
Montana - just when I think I can't do this alone anymore - you breathe the best life into me.
Happy Saturday. Really.
§
