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In contrast to the horribleness of @GoFundMe and @WePay during this pandemic I'm going to cleanse my TL by sharing a story about a staff person at a grocery store near me.
I don't know what I ever did to deserve some of the friends I have but in that respect, I am a very lucky person.
Some of you who've followed me for awhile know that @SpringHawes periodically sends me flowers - and sometimes other things. Often for no reason at all. Just does.
Some of you who've followed me for awhile know that @SpringHawes periodically sends me flowers - and sometimes other things. Often for no reason at all. Just does.
With exception of one fancy holiday basket with Scotch, she orders them from a grocery store near me.
@SpringHawes lives in another part of the province so she has never met the woman she speaks on the phone with & even tho I sometimes go to this store, neither have I.
@SpringHawes lives in another part of the province so she has never met the woman she speaks on the phone with & even tho I sometimes go to this store, neither have I.
But she's been taking @SpringHawes orders and calling me to arrange a good time to deliver them for years now.
On March 19th (a lifetime ago) she called: Your friend Spring has ordered you some more flowers!!
She always sounds as excited as if the flowers were for her.
On March 19th (a lifetime ago) she called: Your friend Spring has ordered you some more flowers!!
She always sounds as excited as if the flowers were for her.
I hesitated and then did my best to hide what I was feeling and said: Great!
Her: What's wrong?
She picked up on the hesitation in my voice. It would've been missed by most and was only because my apt was stacked high & every surface covered - with boxes, cans, etc.
Her: What's wrong?
She picked up on the hesitation in my voice. It would've been missed by most and was only because my apt was stacked high & every surface covered - with boxes, cans, etc.
2 disabled people, tiny space, preparing to self-isolate for a pandemic - do the math.
This is why I ordered the bins which arrived broken as you know from that thread - and are now adding to the clutter along with the 3' X5' boxes they were 'packed' in etc.
This is why I ordered the bins which arrived broken as you know from that thread - and are now adding to the clutter along with the 3' X5' boxes they were 'packed' in etc.
I was like ready to burst into tears because I wanted flowers and even @SpringHawes doesn't know this but I used to buy myself flowers every week when I was working and so these deliveries are a huge treat. But the idea of bringing flowers in then just felt like another 'thing'
And so I as hesitated she said: What is it dear?
I blubbered words - not sentences - just random words - things - mess - life - ahh - counters - cans.
Her: How about if I put together a basket of food? But special treats you might not buy yourself.
I blubbered words - not sentences - just random words - things - mess - life - ahh - counters - cans.
Her: How about if I put together a basket of food? But special treats you might not buy yourself.
Me: No that wouldn't be right. She sent flowers.
Her (in very motherly voice): Listen. I haven't met Spring but I can tell she's a lovely person and a very good friend and I know she'd want you to have the thing that would bring some happiness to you right now.
Her (in very motherly voice): Listen. I haven't met Spring but I can tell she's a lovely person and a very good friend and I know she'd want you to have the thing that would bring some happiness to you right now.
Me: But I don't want to hurt her feelings. I really love flowers you know. And I don't want to seem ungrateful.
Her: She knows. She'll understand. So let me go shop and pick some special treats. Do you like cheese? Do you have any allergies? Dietary restrictions? Favourites?
Her: She knows. She'll understand. So let me go shop and pick some special treats. Do you like cheese? Do you have any allergies? Dietary restrictions? Favourites?
I mean honestly whatever they are paying her this woman is so underpaid. She deserves ten times whatever they are paying her - at least.
So a little while later this arrived.
It had the best stuff. And I am so grateful to @SpringHawes and the lovely woman at the grocery store
So a little while later this arrived.
It had the best stuff. And I am so grateful to @SpringHawes and the lovely woman at the grocery store
Oh I forgot to share @SpringHawes reply when I told her - it’s honestly the best & captures why I’m so hesitant receiving gifts:
“Something I know is that it's not really a gift if it's given with strings or expectations...Otherwise it's just a kind of control.”
Good people.
“Something I know is that it's not really a gift if it's given with strings or expectations...Otherwise it's just a kind of control.”
Good people.
