Today was a very blustery day! Sitting in the den, my desk faces the window, and I have a good view of the street. Almost expecting to see Mary Poppins (not you Sophie G, the real one!) being blown across the road outside my house.
The wind howls and purple leaves are dancing their own spectacular version of the Samba on the branches of the trees opposite me. And a million recycling boxes are being dragged and scraped along the ground, across the road, until they bump into the kerb outside my house. Unfortunately I am the only person who can see these (invisible?) boxes, and consequently the only one able to pick them up and move them out of the road. I have just got back from shopping and was about to put the car into reverse gear, to leave the carpark, when the wind blew a massive three sectioned orange plastic safety barrier, across the car park and deposited it just behind my car. Well, the poor other drivers had to do multiple manoeuvres back and forth to get round it, but not one of them thought to move it. And lots of people walked past it on the way back to their cars. I wasn't sitting waiting for it to be moved, this all happened in under a minute, while I was on the phone to Mr C. I ended the call, got out of my car and dragged it onto a kerbside.
I would like people to be kinder. Just by doing little things, that will make life easier or happier for each other. By being thoughtful and considerate, often with minimum effort, you can really make someone's day. Like Nina Stibbe liking my first Tweet. Or the lady who I pass every day when walking back from meeting L from school (although not today - too blustery!). Every day she smiles at me, although the only thing we have in common is walking along the same footpath at the same time most days. Not even in the same direction. And then yesterday, she said hello and smiled as she walked past us. It just made my day a bit brighter, and it cost nothing. I bet she picks up recycling boxes that have blown into the road!
There is so much unnecessary unpleasantness, and the internet seems to fuel people who are otherwise little mice. I watched some of the run up to the wedding of Princess Eugenie on Youtube this morning, and many people doing the same as me, were making comments which accompanied the live feed. Some of them were just asking questions, and wondering about the dress, and whether Prince Philip would attend. And there were people from all over the world, getting up early, or staying up late to watch, and posting genuinely lovely comments.
But I had to turn it off because of the torrent of vitriol that accompanied it from so many vile people. Why is it necessary? JUST BE KIND I thought! I did however stay for long enough to see the arrival of the bridesmaids and the flash (that poor girl!) and the bride. And it was nice to see a happy celebration, even if I didn't appreciate the written commentary. JUST BE KIND I should have typed.
This afternoon as I was feeling a bit frustrated and wishing for kindness, a funny thing happened. A big white van stopped outside my house, and the driver climbed out and waved at me through the window as he walked to the front door. He had a parcel for me. From my best friend in the world. Singapore Sally. And although she is so far away, she is one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I know. When I opened the parcel, inside were two books, and a note. We are planning a trip next Spring to celebrate our Century together.
For our 80th, we spent a week together in Ayia Napa, smoking and drinking cocktails by the pool all day in our bikinis. This one might be a bit different, but I can't think of anyone better to celebrate with.
Be like Singapore Sally.* Just be kind!
*Other kind friends are available!
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