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I'm refusing to address political topics today. I need a break from the world. So much negativity has arisen.
I haven't been out and about as much as I would have liked during the past few weeks. Today, I took myself to lunch around 1 p.m. at Catherine's Market in Dodgeville, which was great.
I sat at a small table by the large window facing Iowa Street. I sipped iced tea through my straw, and while I was eating a grilled cheese sandwich and quiche, a happy fellow from another table brought me a gift. He was older and had colored a picture of a cat holding a container of popcorn in one paw. In the other paw the cat clutched a soda fountain drink with a straw rising from the top. The caption on the picture said, "Movie Time!"
The fellow had watercolor blue eyes and wore a friendly smile. Such smiles brighten anyone's day. "I colored this picture. I want you to have it," he said.
I smiled back. "Why, thank you! The cat is at the movies," I said. "Oh, look, you already buttered the popcorn." The fellow had colored the popcorn with a yellow crayon. "Buttered popcorn is always good," I added.
The man offered me a few more friendly words and returned to his table. I took the picture home and will place it on my refrigerator.
Receiving rare gifts of unplanned kindness and friendliness today caused my spirits to soar.
My wish is that the same can happen to you. Such moments of simple pleasure are what I cherish.
Recognize the beauty in sincere human kindness.