What does it say about us and the everyday world in which we live that it is the acts of kindness that startle us and take us by surprise? It was the usual weather for a Saturday vigil on Route 101 in Peterborough. Clear blue skies belied low temperatures encouraged to drop lower with the wind. Motorists ranged from honks and supportive thumbs-up signs to those with half-peace signs and negative verbal expressions.
Ever mindful of the safety of others, a number of us watched as a car pulled up and stopped with the young white driver stepping out to engage with a vigilist. He had a package that he handed to the vigilist. It turns out that this young white man was thanking the vigilists for their work. Mindful of the cold, he had purchased a canister of coffee complete with cups, lids, sugar packets and creamers from the nearby Dunkin’ Donuts to be distributed to us. We thank him for this act of kindness and solidarity that bolstered the warmth of our bodies, and more importantly, the warmth of our hearts.
What acts of kindness are available for you to act upon? To change the weather for another person?
Harriet DiCicco
Hancock