Many of you know that I was recently married to the love of my life.  If you read The Story of US, you likely experienced a hinting of that.  We had an amazing honeymoon by the beach which again taught us lessons we are so grateful for.  I have a genetic condition that affects my ability to walk. I really wanted to put my feet in the ocean, something I have not been able to do for many years.  We found a new kind of rollator that is all terrain and could possibly help me get my wish. Our hotel on the beach even had a handicapped walkway to the beach. Unfortunately, near the end it was covered with a foot of soft white sand – nothing could get through that!

A kind gentleman saw how Don and I were struggling and came up to help – each man on one side of me. How kind!  Got to the water, put my toes in, now sitting on the wonderful rollator.  A woman, named Elaine, walking on the beach came up to talk with me and I could pick up easily that she wanted to talk and was feeling some emotional stress. She spent over 2 hours standing there next to us – total strangers, and as she poured out her heart it was clear that the conversation was helping.  Another gentleman came by who was looking for shells and sand dollars. We all also had a nice conversation and then he moved on.  But, he came back about an hour later to give me a sand dollar (deceased) that he wanted me to have. Again so kind. 

Elaine’s husband who had been sitting up higher on the beach, finally came down at about the two-hour mark to see how his wife had managed to stand still on the beach talking for so long. He was also delightful.  When we were finally ready to go back to the hotel, we headed to the other “walkway” thinking it would maybe be better.  It wasn’t. Two younger men proceeded to immediately come to our rescue without even thinking about it. So, I had my Don on one side and a new friend on the other with an additional new friend carrying some of the equipment.

There is so much kindness, love and caring out there folks.  Despite what we hear constantly on the news and in the current political arena.  We just must be willing to accept it, appreciate it, and give it back to others and the world.  These acts of kindness continued throughout our honeymoon time and we tried to give back as much as we received.  Kindness changes your heart and mind – both when you give it and when you feel it from others.