It was sudden, unexpected and as excruciating as any loss. My husband, my best friend, passed away a few weeks before Valentine’s Day. For many years, he would surprise me by purchasing one of the charity hearts in St. Michaels. These hearts are mounted randomly on the tall poles through town in a rolling order as they are purchased over a period of a few weeks, and profit goes to the community food pantry. My husband bought a heart which retained his pet saying for 8 prior years and waited with childish glee for me to find it. This year I ached each time I drove through town seeing the greatest number of hearts ever displayed, but of course not mine.
But one day nearer the holiday date I was progressing homeward by car and recognized “my” heart! I nearly caused an accident as I slammed to a halt in the street, then parked and took a picture to make that my keepsake, although its actual origin this year was unknown.
I later learned that friends acquired my heart and quickly arranged for its display. Knowing people cared enough to make it possible for me to retain a treasured memory. It really is the little things that count the most in life and doing them for others whenever we can is an opportunity to treasure.
Highlighting acts of kindness like this is an initiative of Better Together, an ad-hoc group created by lifelong learners who participated in a Chesapeake Forum course that led to continued discussions. If interested in learning more about meeting up and joining in on their get togethers, or passing along your own act of kindness experience, contact the Forum at info@chesapeakeforum.org.
