Every once in a while outcomes will happen unintended to make you realize how grateful you are to be living in a great community. It happened to me without any expectation, asking for it, or initializing any of the occurrences.
Traditionally1 when a person gives something to someone there are strings attached like in bartering. The focus is on that person will benefit in return. However, performing a random act of kindness without a thought of expecting something in return, the entire focus is on pleasing the recipient.
Now imagine if you were the recipient of a series of kind gestures with no strings attached all within a two-hour window. It happened to me.
It was on Monday October 7th, the day following a heat wave with temperatures of more than 30 degrees. Going along with the weatherman, I knew it would be much cooler on Monday. It was, but the satisfaction of the cool temps were offset by rain showers, from toying with us with drizzle (not too bad) to heavy bursts of rain (not so welcoming).
I left in my car, with appropriate paraphernalia to be put into use, about 10 am. CBC was tuned in, predicting rain for the Valley. I decided to go despite the drizzle and drove into the parking lot where I would be picking blueberries. I sat in the car for a few minutes contemplating whether to stay or go back home.
I finally walked in and inquired if there were people picking blueberries. This young lady at the check-in was so pleasant and encouraging, she without hesitation had one of their picking pots in my hand. Glancing around appearing nonchalant, I casually asked about a water cooler that they had before the pandemic. Suddenly a senior staff member, who had been within earshot said, “Bob, I can get you water. Stay right there.”
Now I was uncomfortable. I returned the container and water and said, “I need something from my car.” I came back with 2 Litre baskets, water from home, and my Blackhatters hat. I’m finally at the picking site that were so loaded with ripe blueberries that picking them would be a cinch.
A little later the rain intensified. I was thinking of quitting when a man who was pulling unwanted shrubs from the bushes came over and offered me raincoat. It was in his car which he went and fetched. His slicker made it perfect to continue picking in the rain. It even had a hood.
I was still the front of the row when he came back. “Come with me,” he said. We walked halfway down where the berries were bigger and more plentiful. I stayed there. He came back shortly with my other stuff including my basket of already picked berries. A little off guard, I thanked him and asked his name. It was Bill. He said he had in sales for 15 years and wanted to work here as the field guy for a season. We had a nice chat. We used his generosity to me as an example of giving without any strings.
I had the blueberries I needed and went back to checkout. I always give an estimate of what the cost will be. I said $40. It was $39.51. This staff member thought I was so clever, it embarrassed me.
I was thinking of blueberries being considered the superfood with one of the highest antioxidant levels of healthy food as I headed to the fudge counter. They help prevent heart problems, good for managing blood sugar levels and improve eye vision. Always eating blueberries is my explanation for not wearing glasses.
I chose a couple of pieces of fudge and afterwards tried to gather everything up for one trip to the car but it wasn’t working. That’s when this kind man offered a hand. My perfect day was continuing. He took one basket of berries and followed me through the front door. There was now a deluge of rain. I suggested he wait there and I would come back after dropping my load off. He said no and came anyway. I thanked him but felt bad he had to get so wet.
By being on the receiving end of so much kindness, it will be more urgent that I reciprocate that kindness on others.
