Ohhhhhh, Nicole. This post made me cry. I have witnessed your generosity over the years; you're still that cheerleader at the top of the pyramid. I'm so glad you happened into that pharmacy to wrap your angel wings around that woman. May 'you' be wrapped in the same warmth, always. ❤️
Oh Nicole, such compassion for Barbara. I am sure she will never forget your kindness. That's what the world needs more than ever: compassion and a helping hand from one human to another. I agree that 'The world is at the mercy of good people.' Rare to find nowadays as people are so self-absorbed. Thank you for helping Barbara! I never had treats as a child except if I found a penny and I would go the the corner store and you could buy two candies for 1 penny or on very rare occasion, my mother would send me to buy some ice-cream in a little box. My father loved Juicy Fruits gum and peppermint candies. Some treats that were available in the past and that are still available don't taste the same, unfortunately. Coke, for example. Thank you for sharing!
“The world is at the mercy of good people” what a beautiful essay Nicole. I am finding that inspiration has to come these days from stories like this. Stories like Paul’s “Michael”, and the unwritten unshared acts that good people are doing because it’s what they do. I think this is the way these days to “find inspiration…” and meaning from that thing right in front of us. I love snacks too. I love trying new ones and finding new twists as you described. I am often talking about some snack from my childhood that is no longer around….remember jello pudding pops?
This brought to mind a memory from a road trip several years ago. I stopped at a pharmacy in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on my way east to Quebec. I overheard a conversation between the pharmacist and a woman who was standing at the counter with her teenaged daughter. It seemed they had come over from an urgent care clinic, as the girl was wearing an obviously new sling on her arm. The pharmacist was telling the woman that the pills would cost $30; the woman was upset because she didn’t have the money, she worked at Wal-Mart and wouldn’t be paid until the following Thursday. (Also, she worked at Wal-Mart and didn’t have $30 for necessary meds, because, why, exactly, Wal-Mart?) I wasn’t carrying much cash but I had enough to cover half the bill, which would get her to payday. It upset me that a working, taxpaying mom might have to say she simply couldn’t afford medicine for her daughter. I will sound more religious than I actually am when I say that sometimes we are given the opportunity to do God’s work as we move through the world; you were the right person in the right place at the right time to help Barbara and as heartbreaking as it is to see a fellow human brought so low, you were able to say, “Not today, forces of despair,” and turn the situation around. Because it feels really good to help someone, doesn’t it? Not in an ego way, but for myself I feel as though maybe I earned my place on this beautiful planet that day, just by being tuned in enough and willing to extend myself just a little to change the trajectory of someone’s day just enough to put the lie to the whole “people are terrible” narrative. You did good, and you got snacks: yay, you!
What a lovely thing to say. Thank you so much! I felt a bit uncomfortable, mentioning it, because a person isn’t supposed to talk about their acts of charity—the right hand should not know what the left hand is doing and all that. But I read somewhere that witnessing an act of kindness boosts the serotonin levels in the witness, and I think the same must be true of reading about it. And sometimes we need to remember the good we have done, don’t you think? To be one of the helpers that Mr. Rogers talked about. I hope that Barbara will find everything she needs; thanks to you, she knows where to start looking.
“I have never been in a 7-Eleven that didn’t feel like home.” is such a banger of an opening line. Also love the changing in taste of men but not snacks. Love and snacks forever and always!
You are good people Nicole. "How can we fix the brokenness? Then I realized that this is how. Just meet people where they are and help them in that same spot. With love and snacks." 💕Thankful for your wisdom always.
This story of Barbara nestled into the theme of snacks is an inspiring way of speaking to the times. What a sweet thing, the idea of childhood innocence comforting adult hardship through gummy bears. Next time I eat my favorite sugary snack I’ll thinks of this essay and the nobel service of sugar! Thank you for sharing.
I used to buy cigarettes for my mom--Virginia Slims.
Also--you should check out the essay "Her Chee-To Heart" by Jill McCorkle--beautiful essay about loving junk food.
I really enjoyed reading this, and thanks so much for the shoutout <3
Ohhhhhh, Nicole. This post made me cry. I have witnessed your generosity over the years; you're still that cheerleader at the top of the pyramid. I'm so glad you happened into that pharmacy to wrap your angel wings around that woman. May 'you' be wrapped in the same warmth, always. ❤️
You are the forever cheerleader the world needs! Woof, way to write into snacks and leave us panting for more. Loved this piece.
This was so touching, Nicole! Made me cry. Also made me think of 5th Avenues. Also made me wanna eat snacks with you 🩵
Oh Nicole, such compassion for Barbara. I am sure she will never forget your kindness. That's what the world needs more than ever: compassion and a helping hand from one human to another. I agree that 'The world is at the mercy of good people.' Rare to find nowadays as people are so self-absorbed. Thank you for helping Barbara! I never had treats as a child except if I found a penny and I would go the the corner store and you could buy two candies for 1 penny or on very rare occasion, my mother would send me to buy some ice-cream in a little box. My father loved Juicy Fruits gum and peppermint candies. Some treats that were available in the past and that are still available don't taste the same, unfortunately. Coke, for example. Thank you for sharing!
“The world is at the mercy of good people” what a beautiful essay Nicole. I am finding that inspiration has to come these days from stories like this. Stories like Paul’s “Michael”, and the unwritten unshared acts that good people are doing because it’s what they do. I think this is the way these days to “find inspiration…” and meaning from that thing right in front of us. I love snacks too. I love trying new ones and finding new twists as you described. I am often talking about some snack from my childhood that is no longer around….remember jello pudding pops?
This brought to mind a memory from a road trip several years ago. I stopped at a pharmacy in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on my way east to Quebec. I overheard a conversation between the pharmacist and a woman who was standing at the counter with her teenaged daughter. It seemed they had come over from an urgent care clinic, as the girl was wearing an obviously new sling on her arm. The pharmacist was telling the woman that the pills would cost $30; the woman was upset because she didn’t have the money, she worked at Wal-Mart and wouldn’t be paid until the following Thursday. (Also, she worked at Wal-Mart and didn’t have $30 for necessary meds, because, why, exactly, Wal-Mart?) I wasn’t carrying much cash but I had enough to cover half the bill, which would get her to payday. It upset me that a working, taxpaying mom might have to say she simply couldn’t afford medicine for her daughter. I will sound more religious than I actually am when I say that sometimes we are given the opportunity to do God’s work as we move through the world; you were the right person in the right place at the right time to help Barbara and as heartbreaking as it is to see a fellow human brought so low, you were able to say, “Not today, forces of despair,” and turn the situation around. Because it feels really good to help someone, doesn’t it? Not in an ego way, but for myself I feel as though maybe I earned my place on this beautiful planet that day, just by being tuned in enough and willing to extend myself just a little to change the trajectory of someone’s day just enough to put the lie to the whole “people are terrible” narrative. You did good, and you got snacks: yay, you!
J Keane MacKinnon, thank you for your kindness. The world needs more people like you.
What a lovely thing to say. Thank you so much! I felt a bit uncomfortable, mentioning it, because a person isn’t supposed to talk about their acts of charity—the right hand should not know what the left hand is doing and all that. But I read somewhere that witnessing an act of kindness boosts the serotonin levels in the witness, and I think the same must be true of reading about it. And sometimes we need to remember the good we have done, don’t you think? To be one of the helpers that Mr. Rogers talked about. I hope that Barbara will find everything she needs; thanks to you, she knows where to start looking.
“I have never been in a 7-Eleven that didn’t feel like home.” is such a banger of an opening line. Also love the changing in taste of men but not snacks. Love and snacks forever and always!
Nicole, Sounds like you were Barbara’s guardian angel. We all need them at times. And, can be one at times. Bless you!
You are good people Nicole. "How can we fix the brokenness? Then I realized that this is how. Just meet people where they are and help them in that same spot. With love and snacks." 💕Thankful for your wisdom always.
This story of Barbara nestled into the theme of snacks is an inspiring way of speaking to the times. What a sweet thing, the idea of childhood innocence comforting adult hardship through gummy bears. Next time I eat my favorite sugary snack I’ll thinks of this essay and the nobel service of sugar! Thank you for sharing.