Things that warm my heart

I am excited for my former community that their beloved "Rosie's Farm Stand" is open for the season. The young lady that owns the greenhouse has opened this little stand for the community to buy and sell homemade items. It is the size of a small walk-in closet, but it is a wonderland inside. It has a small freezer and a fridge. She makes regular updates on the Facebook page, letting the community know what is available and if not available, when a new supply is due. My mom's dear friend Cathy provides buns, cinnamon buns, hotdog, and hamburger buns. The message is sent out that "Cathy's buns have arrived". Liv's perogies seem to be another hot item. On opening day, the supply sold out in a flash, but the Facebook page lets everyone know when more have arrived. You can get a pint of homemade honey dill dipping sauce for $14. Every day, 7 days a week, from 6 am to 10 pm Rosie's is open from mid-April until Christmas. Gertrude is the goose that stands guard. She even has a raincoat for bad weather. It is run on an honest John system. The customers write down what they bought, put their money in a locked box and off they go. 

This stand warms my heart because it not only gives people a chance to sell their goods, but it gives the community a chance to buy specialty foods, a gift for someone or just support a community cause. It is an oil community, and since it opens at 6 am, I can just see the men making a stop to get some food for the day. It is seriously like a mall in a closet. I just can't seem to get enough of following how this little business is doing; it is heartwarming for me to even think about. 

Well, aren't we on some type of roller coaster ride with the daily change in gas prices. We have this incredible gas station owned by Waywayseecappo. It is regularly 10 cents/liter under the other gas stations. They also have a Facebook page which they update daily with the price they are selling their gas for. When the price of fuel increased, WayWay made a Facebook post that they were trying to keep their gas as reasonable as possible. They acknowledged the hike in gas prices and how it changed every day. They also provide full service, and great service I might add. There is a gas attendant at every set of bowsers. I am not even out of my car when they have the door open on my tank and ready to go. They put people through in an efficient manner. Some days the cars are lined up 3 deep at every bowser. Part of going there is just that, the efficiency and how serious they take providing great service; it seems to take the sting out of what I have just paid at the till. Heartwarming.  

I was at my nail salon when a big ole pickup truck pulls in. You know when someone comes in a bit hot and the truck is still bouncing long after the person has gotten out of it. It was very much like that. Out of the truck comes a big, strong fella. He comes in and clearly by the big boots he was wearing he was not there for a pedicure. He pulls out his wallet and when asked how they could help him, he said he wanted a gift certificate. Pause, further questioning was required and when asked for how much, he said,"$150, would that be enough". Watching this man was heartwarming. He had paid attention to what his wife enjoys, and where she enjoyed it, and now he was unknowingly making sure she could enjoy several more experiences at the nail salon. He probably thought he bought one, and they would both be surprised on her birthday. 

Age has no number. I love to see pictures of seniors many years past 65, still volunteering. I can always tell who has a history of volunteering and who doesn't. They can lead and they can do as asked. It is like they are falling into a marching line. You never have to check on them because you know it will be done. They see things that need to be done, and they do it. Volunteering was what I wanted my retirement life to be full of and so far, I have been blessed to find some incredible places and events to volunteer at. It not only warms my heart, but it fills my soul to be part of making a difference. 

I was recently asked by a 7-year-old if I would play chess with him. When I told him I didn't know how, he offered to teach me. The last time I checked chess was a very complicated game that took considerable concentration. I know very few people that play chess, in my world chess is for smart people, which is the case with my little chess playing friend. I promised him he could give me a lesson another day; he has no clue what he is dealing with. I sense it may not turn out like he thought it would. It warms my heart that he thinks, somewhat like "Go Fish", everyone knows how to play chess or can quickly learn.  

There are so many things that warm my heart. I love to see a dad out early in the morning pushing the baby and letting mom sleep. It warms my heart to see a man with a "list" in the grocery store making an attempt at finding the items on said list. Some men are the person to get groceries; they are extremely efficient. Others it is obvious it is not something that comes easily to them. I get that; I would never get past the door in Princess Auto. My heart gives a little tug when I see an elderly couple walking hand in hand. On Facebook there was a picture of a man working at the Rotary Book Sale handing a child a book. Every child that attended the book sale received a free book, simply heartwarming.

Being retired is a time to stop rushing through life and enjoy the "awe that is sweet" moments. Those moments are everywhere around us, if we take the time to notice. I know simple acts of kindness and paying it forward are one of the most heartwarming things a person can do and be part of. Just imagine if we all did one thing every day to make the world a better place, it would be a better place. That is heartwarming.