The Gift of Gratitude

My recent purchase of Matilda 'Tildy' CoolBreezes (my first AC purchase ever) has me curious about other people's first purchase ever of something that they'd wanted for sometime, and then the acquiring of it, genuinely triggered an inexplicable feeling, for lack of a better word, accomplishment, or better yet, the feelings of gratitude that keeps on giving?  For me, this AC, is my first purchase of something "big" that I've wanted for sometime, and something I bought for myself because of what I believe will be the positive physical, emotional and mental contribution that it will add to my experience of summer (because, I sweat-- it's just very easy for me to sweat-- like a lot).  Now, I've never bought a car, and I don't have my own house.  But as I get older, I think of the things I have that serve not only a personal purpose, but also fill me with gratitude. You wouldn't believe how many times I've thought in passing of how grateful I am for the winter coat I purchased last Fall, or for the winter boots one of my brothers bought me for my birthday two years ago.  I don't have a lot of "things" (and even then, I feel I could do with less) but when I have something that fills me with gratitude, it's like having two gifts in one.  Just felt like sharing :)

AC

Last summer was my first summer in my new place. And though I had three fans going, I practically melted.  Going into this summer, I knew I wanted an air conditioner.

I mentioned it to enough people and one of the folks at work sent me the link for one on Amazon.  I ordered it over the weekend and had it delivered to my place of work.

Now, I work in the city, but live in Brooklyn.

I entertained the thought of using one of those roller gear carts, and a kind hearted soul from work brought his roommate's in for me. But after struggling with the cart a few times  --the AC box was really too big to easily maneuver onto said cart--I came to the conclusion that my heart just wasn't in it.  So, I asked for advice on taking a cab.

I only take the subway and metro bus to get from Point A to Point B, C, D, etc.  Every month, I pay for a 30 day metro pass, so the concept of paying extra for a cab ride isn't something I ever find myself contemplating.  Until today.

The same kind hearted soul at work, proffered some options. I chose one. After work, he helped get my AC downstairs, and then kindly used the app (already on his phone) to call the car service so that everything would be under his name and I could pay him the fee in cash later.

When I finally got home, I called my landlord and got his help mounting my AC.

Full disclosure. I was afraid it wouldn't fit my small window.  Yes, I measured before I made the purchase but there was still a part of me that wasn't sure how tight a fit it would end up being. It ended up being a tight fit, but thank goodness for my landlord!

I couldn't have done this on my own.    I couldn't even lift the unit up to the window box.  I tried. It just wasn't going to happen.  I mean maybe if I had gone back in time and started consistently lifting weights like 6 months. But I can't. Also, even if I had somehow miraculously got it up there, I couldn't have held it in place with one hand, while using the other to assemble the necessary components into place.   This was a two person job.  He did the heavy lifting and maneuvering and I assisted in whatever way he asked me to.  When he was finished I let him know how truly grateful I was and then thanked him in advance for helping me take it down, come Autumn.

I am so happy and so grateful to all the Earth Angels who made this outcome possible for me!

Honestly, this whole experience turned out much better than I could have envisioned 😊

I'm just going to sit here in front of my new AC and count my blessings ❤

Subway Kindness

I'll just close my eyes through the last four stops.

Those were my thoughts as I sat in the subway car headed for my transfer point -- the final stop downtown for this train before it headed back uptown.

Next thing I knew, a lady tapped me   awake.  We were at my stop. I had fallen asleep. I had been more tired than I had realized.

Had she not woken me up, there is a very high likelihood that I wouldn't have until I was headed back in the direction from which I'd just come.

I thanked her as she was already steps ahead out of the car and onto the platform.  I got up, got off and because I could, sped up to catch her.

Tapping her on the shoulder, I thanked her again for being so kind. She assured me that it was no problem, and as we came to the point where our paths diverged, added that I had looked so peaceful. With that, we both laughed and went our separate ways.

I thought of her as I waited for my bus, and again as I walked the last few steps to my front door. What she did was of immense help. I do not take it for granted, and I will always be grateful for it.

Poem: Senses Awakening, Thoughts Forming

I woke up to the rain
but it sounded like the ocean,
Tasting the slight chill in the morning air
I burrowed deeper into the certain warmth of my bed
while the candle of my consciousness flickered in and out between the land of dreams and that which fellow travelers call, "Reality."
Specters of thoughts began to form more coherent shapes--
''Tis a day for cutting class and daydreaming" they whispered, seductively.
But then, the alarm clock,
that town crier of reality barges in, "Work Beckons!"

On the Streets of Brooklyn, A Man and a little Girl,

I was riding the city bus headed uptown, and as we paused at a light, I watched a man and a little girl taking a stroll down the sidewalk, going in the opposite direction.

She looked to be around 2 1/2 - 3 years old, had on a fuzzy white winter hat, a pink coat and checkered patterned pants.  She was definitely at an age where holding her hand especially out in the streets was the expected norm.  As the guardian held on to her right hand, the little girl was taking several licks of a red lollipop in her left.

At one point, the guardian leans down slightly and engages the little one in conversation.  A few seconds later, he leans down further as the little girl generously lifts up her lollipop to allow him a few licks. When she believes him to be done, she brings down the hand. Once again the guardian engages her in conversation and again, with the same sweet generosity of spirit, she raises the lollipop and allows him to take more licks.

As my bus began to move away, the last I saw of them, the guardian had straightened back up and was guiding her through the cross walk.  And though they soon disappeared from view, my mind lingered on the sweet, gentle kindness in that little girl's gesture.

Simply put, she touched my heart.