Random Acts of "Kindness"

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TRIP

Our youngest daughter invited her parents (US) to accompany them to an island offshore. We needed passports – luckily we had them, still good for two more years. The weather on the island is summer, the weather at home is winter. It will still be cool to cold when we return. All of our summer clothes are stored away for the cold months. While it is tempting to switch the clothes, we will need cold weather clothes when we return.

Planning is the fun part of the trip. Looking for clothes is NOT! Question: Will they fit? I wish I could say that my weight is down, sadly it is not. I’m going to try — very hard to keep the amount of clothes to a minimum. Spring clothes has appeared in the stores. Shopping anyone? And of course, I need to leave room in the suitcase for treasures found on the island.

Not only do I have to plan the clothing, I also need to plan for our diet needs. We have never visited before but I’m told they will have food my husband will enjoy eating. I don’t know what foods will be available that will fit our needs. My husband is diabetic, I buy a low sugar grape jelly for him. Will I be able to get it there? I’m sure I will pack a bottle of jelly as well as his sugar. I’m sodium restricted. What do I need to bring for me? I’m also sure I will bring an assortment of my herbal tea.

Talking about our trip at our exercise class, I have received some good information. I really don’t want to bring an extra five pounds of body weight back with me.

I called two of our credit cards to alert them to our travelling plans. I learned that one has an up charge of 3% on purchases. I learned that the other has no up charge. I think I know which one we will be using. My husband and I each carry a different card just in case one gets lost or compromised.

Planning, planning — flying — enjoying — flying — then quickly home. Planning extends the time for the trip. Just can’t go crazy.

I knew that I had planned to buy something from the store. I forgot to write it down. No surprise, I didn’t remember. I thought of stuff I might have needed. Even though I picked the stuff up, it didn’t feel that I had bought the missing item. Walking down the aisle, a mother asked her daughter to help her get tissue. I would say that a gong went off in my head but I would be exaggerating — BUT her statement reminded me that tissue was what I needed. “THANK YOU!”

I guess it is pretty evident that I haven’t traveled out of the US in a very long time. Still planning, I stopped at the beauty shop to get a haircut. The hairdresser mentioned the cost of phone calls offshore. I hadn’t thought of it. Later, calling the phone company I learned there is an up charge of $2.50 a minute. FOREWARNED. “THANK YOU!”

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UNIVERSE WHISPERS

Once upon a time I was amazed when something crossed my path that was helpful to me. I WISH TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I STILL AM! The information comes from many sources, always or mostly unexpected. This time I accompanied two of my daughters on a shopping or investigational spree. We stopped at an antique store at the beginning of our trip and I quickly realized that whatever energy I had was quickly leaving. It was the fourth day of visit from our daughter and granddaughter and my age had already caught up to me. I decided that if I didn’t sit down while they looked I wouldn’t make it for the rest of the day. Standing and looking wasn’t working for me. I abandoned the store and visited a nearby Starbucks. They could shop and look, I could sit and recharge.

After getting a Chia Latte, I sat down at a table that held a Conscious Community magazine. One of the last articles I read “Heeding The Message … 15 Years Later” highlighted my feelings for the day. “The universe starts with a whisper. If you don’t listen, the whisper turns into a massive holler!” I don’t know if I heard a whisper telling me that I was overdoing it. I did listen when standing and looking caused my knees and other body parts to object. Hopefully I didn’t cause the universe to holler.

The article reminded me that sad as it is to say, I’m no longer 21 or even 51. I’m not ready to sit and watch the world go by but I need to pay more attention to my activity. That day there was no way I was going to miss the fun of spending time with my daughters. At the same time, spending time sitting instead of standing, with the help of some caffeine allowed me to enjoy the rest of the day.

DO I PAY ATTENTION TO THE UNIVERSE? Good question. Yesterday I was EXTREMELY TIRED, so tired I could have easily sat down and waited for anyone to cook supper or order out. I had catfish defrosted — I needed to cook! And I did. It was delicious.

This morning, I noted everything I did yesterday. Looking at the list — there was a very good reason I was so tired. I thought I had done well. When I listed my chores for the day, I postponed three things for next week. I didn’t realize I had ADDED SIX more plus a shopping trip.

The night before, I caught a blurb on TV announcing that the dog flu was back. Yesterday, my husband took Robin to the Vets for the first of two shots. She likes going to the lakefront and running with other dogs. We want her to stay healthy.

Question: Will I ever learn? Hopefully I can keep the universe at a whisper — not a holler!

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Warm Fuzzies

I’m writing this thought ramble on Saint Patrick’s day, the leprechauns were running around this morning. Actually, I think it was my mother saying “hello.” I stopped in the bathroom this morning with my bible in my hand. I planned to use the time well. My bible flew out of my hand, landing upside down, dislodging a little booklet of “Little Francis Love Notes.” I was born on St. Francis’s feast day and the booklet had completely disappeared from my memory. My immediate response was “Hi Mom”, since she has Irish ancestry.

I took Robin for her morning walk. On the way, we met a black Lab puppy. Both the puppy and Robin enjoyed the run. I will admit that I took Robin off the leash so both adults had a chance. The puppy is still too young to be trusted with her freedom.

A little later, I opened Queen Of Angels to “Angels As Confidants And Playmates”. My finger landed on my father’s memorial card. “Hi Dad!” After all, even though my father is Swedish, it is a FAMILY affair.

I don’t often know who is out and about. This morning it was pretty evident. Sadly I didn’t really get a chance to know my mother. I was only four when she passed. I also don’t know if I had any experiences after the fire that would be the cause of some of my talents or abilities. When I was young, it was dangerous for anyone to acknowledge special talents. I have listened to many authors who have explained their challenges in their early years. Thankfully times have changed and special gifts are no longer judged unfairly.

I have been told that I have more gifts that I don’t use. If I do, hopefully I will recognize them eventually. Until then, I’ll just enjoy the special things that occur and share them so that you will know that more things can happen besides pennies and dimes, butterflies and birds. While the world is our oyster, it is also theirs – they have more talents available to them.

Little Francis’s Love Notes ends with a drawing and these words: “I can’t fill God’s shoes, but I can follow His steps. I can handle one step at a time.” I can only add, “I’m trying!”

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SHORT CIRCUIT

A new word has entered my vocabulary that I seem to be using on a very REGULAR basis. The word popped into my head the other day. It seems to accurately describe my actions. I don’t remember what I was doing at the time, but it really doesn’t matter. I was standing in our middle room, finishing some task, and walked with purpose to the bookcase in our dining room. Arriving — I had NO IDEA what I was after, why I had walked with such purpose to stand and look at the bookcase. SHORT CIRCUIT! Now I’ll admit that whatever it was, after I stood quietly for a few minutes, I remembered what I had been doing, — I remembered what I was after.

Each time I have a short circuit, I stand and try to remember what I was doing, what I came for. Sometimes it helps — sometimes I have to continue on and hope that I will remember. If it is important — I usually do. If I was on automatic pilot — it can be days or hours before whatever it was surfaces. My lack of remembrance is especially aggravating when whatever is lost is important — cell phone, glasses, keys etc.

A pair of glasses is still lost. First off — they are not prescription. Second, they where slipping off and becoming uncomfortable when I was wearing them. I kept them in my purse. They where in a very soft case. Did I lose them — outside of the house. I searched the house. If they are here, they are hiding. They are not in the car, I checked. So did I lose them — or were they taken away? Good question — no answer.

My father had Alzheimer’s, so that is always a concern. I’m not particularly worried at this time. My grandson who is almost ten, every once and a while short circuits.

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INTERACTION

Unless I tell a story, I have trouble explaining the interaction I have with “my friends in high places” since I neither see or hear them. After years of experiences (20 to be exact) I have “learned” that I’m receiving either “help” or direction. Today is the anniversary of my father’s passing. My mother and brother passed when I was four, but my mother was so good at working behind the scenes that I was unaware of her help.

Yesterday I headed for the bank to deposit some checks, transfer some money. On the way I met Henry, a 10 month old Lab. He was extremely excited when he saw me, so much so that his walker asked if we had met before. I didn’t know what to say, finally admitting that I walk to a different drummer, have both two footed and four footed friends in high places — some of them might be with me now. Dogs are more attuned to energy and Henry might have picked up on their presence.

At the bank, I overheard a man telling the clerk that his wife was allergic to penicillin and had trouble with the medication they use for surgery. Since I have the same issues, I took the opportunity to talk with him. During the conversation I learned many things. His father passed over last March. Since they knew he was passing his daughter had the opportunity to mend some fences. His father was very active in their Catholic church, and many more details. I mentioned that if he needed his father’s help, he was there — he just needed to be aware. I mentioned that I walk to a different drummer, often received “help” from the other side and gave some examples. Recently my pedometer stopped working. It clipped onto my pants and had been falling off on a very regular basis for some time. I had been forewarned. I had been given the opportunity to investigate various other means of tracking my steps. I still used my old pedometer. IT STOPPED WORKING! No choice — buy a new pedometer or buy a gadget that I could wear on my wrist.

He seemed skeptical. So I asked him how he could explain my being at the bank at the same time he was, and overhearing his conversation. Maybe it was so I could pass on the message that his father was behind the scenes — “helping.”

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ADMITTING TALENTS

Words coming out of my mouth surprised me the other day. I was in the entrance of a book store, looking at a collection of adult coloring books. A woman was standing there also, trying to decide if she wanted to buy a book, commit herself to coloring and trying to decide what materials she wanted to use. I shared my experience. She thought coloring might help with her anxiety.

At my daughter’s retreat in the Fall, I saw a group of women enjoying coloring, sitting at a table — using colored pencils. Shopping for Christmas presents, a selection of coloring books caught my attention. I bought a different book for two of my daughters, then bought a book so I could play too. I wanted to include tools so they could color right away. I bought 3 sets of markers. I was very happy with the deep color on the page — I WAS VERY UNHAPPY when I noticed the color soaked through to the other side. I returned two sets of markers to the store.

Next I tried crayons but once again I was unhappy with the results. Third try was colored pencils — I bought a set of 24 pencils. I was happy with the finished effect. When I paint, I often mix my own colors, or add white to get different shades. Having only 24 colors that I couldn’t mix was too confining. Thankfully our son had a big set of colored pencils that he shared. His set has more than six shades of green — just what I needed for coloring a garden that had many different leaves.

So when I was talking to the woman about coloring, I shared my experience. I also mentioned that I was a painter — those words, coming out of my mouth, surprised me. I usually don’t admit to having a special talent.

That isn’t the first time this week that my mouth opened to share something about myself. In this case I wouldn’t call it a talent. I accompany my husband to an exercise class at the Veteran’s clinic he attends. Recently a new person joined our group — it was his first class. And the class was more energetic than most. I was wearing my watch that measures my heart rate — I have trouble finding my pulse — and the reading was over 120. I couldn’t help but notice the rapid breathing of our new member — my mouth opened — words came out cautioning him to be careful — rest if he needed to, we didn’t want him to collapse onto the floor. Afterwards I explained to one of the volunteers that I can’t help mentioning something when I see or hear something hazardous. After my cautioning words, the volunteers gave him more assistance.

I seem to have become grandmother to the world.

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I GET STORIES

I NEED STORIES. I’m often pestered to write a thought ramble to share with you. If my life is routine, nothing exciting happening, I have nothing to write about — so I’m given ideas. For a long time I have felt that I’m usually in the right place, at the right time to either be helped myself or to help someone else. I just have to be aware, paying attention — not distracted.

There is another purpose to the stories I’m given, not only to write but to physically “tell.” Many years ago I attended an audition looking for performers. I was active in the storytelling guild world at the time and decided to try out. Many people carried equipment with them. I realized that I carried my stories in my pocket — there is always room for more.

Okay — I’m rambling — is there a point to this? YES! Recently “I found a dime” and wrote about it. Recently I had the opportunity to “tell” the story. One of my neighbors is “challenged.” I don’t know much about her — age, name, medical problem. I first noticed her a few years ago — she keeps to herself when out. I first thought she was a child, and possibly lost. Although I often saw her, I never spoke to her. The opportunity didn’t present itself. Since I was concerned, when I saw her landlady I asked a few questions. I learned that she wasn’t a child instead a woman in her forties and capable of living alone. If I learned what her challenge was I have since forgot. Her path has crossed mine a few times, enough where we now exchange a few words. Mostly it is about the weather — staying warm, being careful.

I was out walking Robin when we met last week. For a change the sun was out, light wind, the temperature comfortable for winter. She shared a secret with me, the passing of her mother in the Fall. She asked that I pray for her mother in heaven. I shared a few short stories with her, demonstrating that those who have passed are often with us when needed. I ended my short stories with my recent experience of finding a dime. Since it was recent, it made an impression. Did it help her with her loss? I don’t know. But I find it comforting, when I’m not being hit on the head, to know that those who have passed are still with me, even if they are on the other side, even if I don’t see or hear them.

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I FOUND A DIME

There are many stories in which people find nickels or dimes as signs that a loved one who has passed is with them. I’ll admit that has occasionally happened to me. I’ll also admit that I seldom find money when I’m out and about. My eyes are usually focused on people, dogs, flowers, birds, trees etc. If the pavement is icy, I’ll pay more attention to where I’m walking. Although the temperature had a wind chill below zero, the pavement was dry. So why was I excited? Why am I sharing?

Often when I receive a response or find money, I’m storming heaven about something or I’ m very worried. I remember once I either was storming heaven or pleading my case, when a group of crows cawed three times. I don’t remember what I was doing, other than walking, that caused their response. That occurred many years ago, but it made an impression. That year I had read that crows were a spiritual sign from the CREATOR. I do know that I was grateful for the response.

So why am I sharing the news that I found a dime? If you have read many of my thought rambles, you know that I am aware that I walk to a different drummer. You know that I am aware that I have “friends in high places.” I will also admit that on a daily basis, I’m seldom aware of “their HELP.” At the same time, maybe I walk with more “awareness.” I don’t like getting hit on the head.

In any case, I’m extremely worried about a friend of mine. She fell a month ago and fractured a hip. She had surgery almost immediately but instead of recovering she is still in a great deal of pain. Instead of being released from the hospital and continuing a very busy life she is confined in a nursing home. And she is not happy, possibly depressed. My Life this month is EXTREMELY BUSY. My husband and his health is occupying most of my life. I have not been able to call or visit like I would like to. She was moved to another room and I didn’t have her new phone number. Thankfully her husband had it and I phoned her. I was very concerned when I hung up. Walking Robin, I sent up an SOS to heaven on her behalf. The SOS might have been for a short time or rather lengthy — I don’t remember. What I do remember is that looking down, I saw a dime. When I was young (a long, long time ago) a dime paid for a phone call or a ride on the bus. Does the dime indicate that the call was received? Does the dime indicate that I should continue to storm heaven on her behalf? Your guess is as good as mine but I was HAPPY to see the dime.

Of course, I will be VERY HAPPY if they find out what is causing her pain and she is able to quickly recover.

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GLASS

I trust that I haven’t given the impression that because I have “friends in high places” stuff doesn’t go wrong in my life. If I have — I’m sorry — I have mislead you. STUFF HAPPENS!

And it did on a VERY COLD Wednesday morning. At 5:30 AM I heard a crash — I didn’t know if something happened to our house or if it was outside. I just knew I heard a noise that was disturbing. I checked our back bedrooms first. Robin was sleeping comfortably on the bed. I looked outside to see if there had been an accident. Everything was quiet out on the street. I got dressed and went downstairs. The first thing I noticed was that the curtain had fallen behind the Christmas tree. ??????

Further investigation revealed a big hole in our window. VERY, very cold air was rushing in. WHAT had happened? WHY did the window break? HOW can I cover the hole? A few ideas popped into my head but nothing was sticking and I couldn’t find anything to cover the hole. I decided that I needed help and woke my husband. Soon after he came downstairs we discovered that another window had been broken. AND we discovered the cause. Rocks had been thrown through our windows. That explained the noise. Neither my husband, my son nor Robin were woken from their sleep.

Thankfully we had duck tape in the house. A few rolls to be precise. We also had plastic window covering left over from the years before thermal windows. (I don’t miss covering our windows every winter but I’m glad I didn’t throw the plastic out.)

I called the company who had installed our windows. Their phone number had been disconnected, they must have gone out of business. I looked up two other companies that installed thermal windows and left a message. When my son joined us, he thought cardboard would be a good idea and took over the task. He also had a good idea who had thrown the rocks. We agreed.

My husband and I have been attending an exercise and nutrition class at a local Veterans Clinic. He decided that he wasn’t going to go to class that morning. I knew I NEEDED to go, I NEEDED to exercise. I couldn’t go without him. Although I’m a veteran of many things — I’m don’t have the credentials to attend a VA program.

During a break between the exercise and the nutrition program one of the companies I phoned returned my call. I learned that they only replaced windows unless they did the original work. The man who phoned suggested a glass company, it would be cheaper.

One of the volunteers at the clinic knew of a glass store in the neighbor hood but didn’t know the address. He said it was right next to a beauty shop that had a sign in front. When we left the clinic and turned down the street, traffic was heavy. My husband pulled to the side to let traffic pass so we could poke. As I looked at the shops, I noticed that he had pulled up to the glass shop. I don’t know if we would have found it if he hadn’t stopped. The shop replaced thermal windows, they came out the next day.

Windows are ordered. I removed half of the ornaments from the tree before they came and our son moved the tree out from the wall. New windows are ordered, they should be in next week. The tree is still up, ornaments moved around but it will be down before the windows are installed. Temperatures are in the single digits — heading for below zero. Thankfully the duck tape, plastic wrap, and cardboard have kept out the cold air.

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AGE

In the past, my age didn’t bother me. I actually had to stop and think — “How old am I?” when asked my age. Depending on the day I felt anywhere from 10 to 100. Sadly that time has passed for the time being. I’m feeling my age and I DON’T LIKE IT! I don’t know what specifically has caused that change in my attitude. Depression — possibly. Too much weight? The tornado? The damage to my shoulder — unable to exercise like I used to? It could be one of the above or all might be adding to the mix.

I used to be able to lift a box of water off of the display and put it in my grocery cart. They have increased the size of their package from 36 to 40 16 oz bottles. I don’t remember if I could lift the 36 but I know I can’t lift the 40. I wait for a stronger male to assist me if my husband isn’t with me. Recently a younger female asked if I wanted a case and easily picked it up and put it in my cart. I remembered when I could do that. Of course that was before I injured my shoulder. I’m grateful that my shoulder seems to be healing — I have more range of motion without pain but I still don’t have the strength back.

Reaching for stuff is becoming harder. I’m shrinking — an inch or two is gone. Stuff on the top shelf or at the back is next to impossible to reach. I look for a tall person. At home I use my grandchildren’s step or a ladder. I’m rearranging my shelves. The day will come in the not to far future when my grandchildren will be taller than me. Stretching exercises are NOT helping me to keep my height.

There are some things that I can do. I can lose weight. (Right now it loves me and doesn’t want to leave.) I can exercise more and strengthen my arms. I can concentrate on the positive things in my life and not spend as much time on the negative. Some things are impossible — I CANNOT REGAIN MY YOUTH OR MY HEIGHT.

I constantly meet people who are in their 90’s with good quality of life. That is my goal — not necessarily reaching 90 — God’s plan, not mine.

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