Monday
Aug232010
the kindness of strangers
August 23, 2010 * * * * * Posted by: Kelly 
This past weekend my sister and I participated in one of our favorite art shows on the grounds of a beautiful public garden. The first day was almost perfect weather-wise, warm but not hot, cloudy, no rain. Sales were good, people were having fun, we were happy.
And then came Sunday. As anticipated, it rained during most of Saturday night, we had tied our tent down and packed our displays away to avoid the occasional drip. But somehow, for some reason, the waterproofing on our tent stopped working. When we arrived on Sunday morning, it was still raining hard outside, and quite hard inside our tent as well.
Everything was soaked. And getting wetter by the second. We stood there staring at each other for several minutes, trying to figure out what to do. Should we pack up and leave? (This is frowned upon and means we would probably not get in the show next year).
After the shock wore off and we realized we had to do something, we decided that my sister should go to the store and buy a tarp. I stood there and waited as water dripped on my head, and thought about crying, although I did not. At this point I was soaked through except for my feet: I had been smart enough to wear my purple rain boots. (Which up until now I have only worn at home, in my garden.)
When my sister returned, our true dilemma came into focus. The top of our tent is probably twelve feet high. How were we going to get the tarp up and over the top? The tent has retractable legs, but we can only go down so far without pulling our entire display apart.
So we lowered it as far as we could and stepped out into a downpour to pull this huge heavy tarp up over our still-too-tall tent. We got wetter as we stood there, struggling.
But thank goodness for the kindness of strangers.
The man across the aisle saw us struggling, and even though he was nice and dry inside his tent, all set up and ready to go, he ran over and asked if we needed help. And then he went and got a stepladder and a stool and came back in the pouring rain without his umbrella because, of course, he needed to use his hands to help us. And it took about ten seconds for him to get as soaked as we were. And as the three of us struggled to reach over the top, another gentleman came by to help and between the four of us, we managed to get the job done.
I don't even know what the second man looked like, he was there in a hood for that brief moment and then he moved on.
But that simple act of kindness, from two perfect strangers, made it possible for us to get everything dried and set up and literally saved our day.
It made my heart feel all warm and fuzzy, much like my nice dry feet.
Kindness and rain boots: two of the very best things in life.
Reader Comments (21)
It's amazing how the simplest act of being seen and recognized and helped in a time of crisis can change one's point of view and entire day.
Yes - thank goodness for the kindness of strangers..and the foresight to wear rubber boots!!
Hope that - in spite of the rainy Sunday - the show was a success!!!!
this still life is great, well chosen with the words to accompany it
Purple boots...an angel unawares (if not two of them)...and now I am reciting "Warning: When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple...." [http://labyrinth_3.tripod.com/page59.html] How very wonderful, Kelly, that your day was salvaged and you didn't give up. I bet the guys had smiles on their faces, too, the rest of the day. It feels so good to be kind! Thanks for the reminder.
such a vivid example that good people are right there in front of us...
and purple rainboots always brighten any situation! LOVE the photo Kelly
Hey Kelly....glad your day had a happy ending.....just that feeling in your heart, hopefully made it all worth while.
That photo is purely delicious!
okay, i'm going shopping.
i love the wetness of the photo, and the beauty of the accompanying story. yeah, I have to agree, kindness and rain boots are two of the very best things in life.
I also love this photo~those boots just rock the world, girl!
And I love these kinds of moments, of the strangers helping you spontaneously. I believe, that despite the 24/7 news cycle that spews yuck at us most of the time, & despite some people's cynacism, that THIS is the true nature of humanity.
Good way to start my Tuesday! :-) Thank you!
My goodness, camping for an art show? For some reason I wouldn't have thought, especially since I detest camping. It would take a whole load of strangers and their RV to get me out there!
That picture is gorgeous and goes so well with the story. lovely!
Yes, yes, yes. A little kindness goes such a long way! And it makes my heart smile too.
Thank goodness for the kindness of strangers. Several years ago, when I was doing my first outdoor show with my glass, I tried setting up my tent all by myself. I just couldn't get it done, and like you, my booth neighbors quickly lent a hand. I was so thankful for them, as I know you were for your kind strangers. Wonderful, heartwarming story, Kelly, with a very happy ending.
What a wonderful story. Next time, you can repay the favor to someone who needs it.
There is a saying that go'es like this
"A little kindness is never wasted"
Is'nt it wonderful ? Great story and I love the Wellies.
What a grerat story. It's the kindness of strangers that often gets us going!
It is amazing and wonderful. Many years ago as I was leaving an art show where I had hardly made my booth fee a fellow artist who how little I had made was just ahead of me. Just as he started to get into his truck he turned and asked if I needed money for gas to get home. He already had his billfold in his hand, and I have no doubt if had told him I needed $50 or a $100 to get home I would have had it.
I absolutely can't take my eyes off of your photo! Love the way purple boots can bring a smile...as did your story! What would we do without the kindness of strangers...
hope you went home to a hot bath and a glass of wine, toasting and celebrating boots and buddies.
What a happy ending to your story! Sorry you got rain on and in, but thank God for the goodness of strangers. Awesome post!
-FringeGirl
Moments like that remind us that this big world has got some absolute gems of people in it...
Love the picture with your purple boots. Kindness of strangers makes my heart warm.