Small acts of kindness.
Today I drove Diana to a job interview a couple of hours away. While she was in her interview I thought I would drive to the GF bakery where I have ordered GF bread (and had shipped to us) to see what they offer and buy some fresh bread. I drove to the address I found online but when I got there, I was in a residential area with no sign of a bakery or business. I'm good with directions and can find an address easily, so I was stumped. I stopped, looked up the address again and found that I was right where I should be, according to address online. There was a home with that address and since I had gone out of my way to get there, I decided to knock on the door and ask if they were the owners of the bakery, or if they knew where I might find the bakery.
The home was a madhouse of people coming and going, I timidly knocked on the door. A lady answered and said the bakery was downstairs but there was really no entry for the bakery. It appeared as if the bakery was not for the public. I'm not sure who the lady was that answered the door but she was pushed aside by a young girl and I was invited in.
Once inside, the owner came to the entry and asked if he could help me. I explained why I was there and he said, "Well, let's find out if we have any bread left from today." The bakery is in the basement of their home; what is made each day is sent out to businesses where the goods are sold. They had several loaves of bread that had not been delivered or boxed up for delivery and offered those to me. While his wife and daughter took my order, made the transaction and brought the bread up to me, he talked to me about having Celiac disease for a minute. He too has Celiac so he and his wife began the GF bakery business. Business is booming for them and they will be expanding as soon as possible.
As I was leaving, I thanked them for helping me and also apologized, again, for stopping by their home.
The owner, Tim Lawson, turned to me and said,
“Any Celiac sister of mine is welcome to stop by here any time!”
That little statement (and the several loaves of bread I was carrying) meant so much to me! Although I won't stop by their home again (I'll buy their bread where it is sold, or order it), it was sweet to feel that brotherhood/sisterhood among the people living with this disease.
I had stopped by their home at a very busy time of their day, and yet they still took the time with me to help me with what I needed. Such an act of kindness and it was very much appreciated!
Diana and I had a nice drive back, we even stopped to enjoy dinner together.
Lots of things to be grateful for today!
I know I'm not part of the Celiac family (knock on wood), but I always try to look out for those who are! Seeing what you have been going through has really helped me develop a compassion for others--especially where food is concerned.
Posted by: Karen | December 11, 2013 at 03:14 PM