I’ve always believed that people are capable of incredible acts of kindness, and they perform these kind deeds with no expectation of anything in return. Witnessing random acts of kindness, like the one that took place in my shop last Saturday, reminds me that there are still beautiful people in this world, and quite a few of them visit my shop.
Ms. Gingy stops by almost every Saturday afternoon. When we met a few years ago, I immediately felt a connection with her. If you asked me to describe her, I would tell you she’s the perfect Autumn evening, the kind where you feel that much anticipated chill in the air, so you wrap yourself up in your coziest blanket, while sipping hot tea and listening to the rain fall. That’s how Ms. Gingy makes me feel. That’s how she makes everyone feel. She reminds me of my Nonna, Theresa. My Nonna gave the best hugs, the kind where you let go first and the other person is still hugging you. That’s the only way Ms. Gingy knows how to hug.
This past Saturday Ms. Gingy made her weekly visit to the shop. In her sugar laced Alabama drawl, she said. “Well hello darlin’”, as she walked up to the counter. We hugged and I offered her a glass of vino. And just like every Saturday before, she says….
“Oh, I shouldn’t, but I will if you will”, and so we did.
As Ms. Gingy wandered around the shop, she would strike up conversations with the other customers. Like me, she is a people person and never passes up the opportunity to talk. If you have had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Gingy, then you know that before you leave, she will have acquired more information from you about your existence than the FBI, all while showing you around the shop and convincing you to purchase a dining table and chairs when you simply stopped by to purchase a candle.
Also in the shop that day was Ms. Terri. Our friendship was sealed the day she playfully threatened to hijack my Black Beauty gladiolus bulbs that were in full bloom in front of the shop. Since she shares my love of gardening, I promised her a few bulbs in the autumn when it comes time to separate them. From baubels to bulbs, you can find just about everything at Borelli’s!
Now, Ms. Terri had more in mind then just shopping that sultry July afternoon. She was on a mission to find the hidden bottle of olive oil inside our shop. Since June, we have had a fun contest going on that involved our customers searching for the hidden bottle – the lucky winner wins a bottle of olive oil or vinaigrette. Lady luck was with Ms. Terri that day, as she discovered the hidden bottle that was tucked away in a vintage china hutch. Ms. Terri brought the bottle to the register and said,
“I would like to give it to that sweet lady.”
She pointed to Ms. Gingy.
Ms. Gingy let out a quite audible gasp and put her hand on her chest.
“Oh darlin’, I just couldn’t take your prize from you, you keep it.”
Ms. Terri explained that she wanted to do something nice for someone and today, that someone was her. The two of them went back and forth and finally Ms. Gingy accepted Ms. Terri’s random act of kindness. However, there was one condition, Ms. Gingy insisted that Ms. Terri pick the flavor. She chose Tuscan Herb (one of my favorites) and then I took this lovely picture of the two of them. I think what touched me the most, after Ms. Terri’s sweet gift, was how truly surprised Ms. Gingy was that a lady she had only met just that day, would give her something. I dare say it has been quite some time since Ms. Gingy received an unexpected gift. Her child like surprise and smile warmed my heart. Oh, how I love my shop.
In today’s world, which has rendered many selfish, impatient and indifferent, we often forget that the sweetest joys are found in the simplest of acts… a warm hug, shared laughter, quiet observation, a phone call to catch up, a listening ear, an unhurried visit, and of course, random acts of kindness.
So today, I ask you a question I asked myself as I drove home from my shop Saturday night –
“In the past three months, when did you give of yourself without expecting anything in return?”
“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.
” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Did you know that the phrase “practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty” was written by Anne Herbert on a placemat in Sausalito, California in 1982? Herbert’s book Random Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty was published in February 1993 speaking about true stories of acts of kindness.
MADAME'S MANUSCRIPTS 