“Kindness is a magical spell—performed by enlightened beings—meant to enchant hearts and lift weary souls that they might fly.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes
My week in Iowa was filled with so many special moments created by those who have been part of my life for so many years.
Tom and Karen Sink are two very important people to me. I’ve mentioned them before in my stories so I was absolutely thrilled my sister and I were able to spend some time with them.
We spent an afternoon talking about the years we lived next door to each other–they were one of my first babysitting jobs and I loved going to their house. Karen would make her wonderful brownies and have other little treats stashed away for me while I was there. It really didn’t seem right they paid me to be there–their son Kevin was so easy–he requested one book before going to bed and Andy was so young she slept the majority of the time. I’m sure I was a pretty expensive babysitter once you factored in all the food and drinks I literally inhaled each time I was there!
During our visit we talked a lot about the other times “we girls” would come over to their house to play cards, UNO, Yahtzee, or the game that’s probably only played in Iowa, PIG-OUT. We were invited over–it was more like a rescue mission–so we could get away from a very abusive stepmother.
During our afternoon together we talked, we laughed, and we all cried a little bit here and there. It was an afternoon filled with love–some excellent wine–and a lot of validation.
My only regret is I did not take enough pictures–and the pictures I did take were taken after that excellent wine.
Yes, timing is important.
I am so thankful to and for these two–they sheltered as well as shielded my sisters and I during some very hard times. Because of them I knew I always had a safe place to go–a place I knew someone not only believed me but believed IN me. What I did not know until our visit that day was they had discussed bringing the three of us into their home–getting us out permanently–
That was pretty amazing information to hear.
I have yet to find words to describe how incredible I find that act of love to be. Knowing that comforts that frightened little kid who still resides deep down inside of me. That little girl and this aging woman is much more at peace knowing how very much she was and is loved.
“Oh, the comfort — the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person — having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.”
― Dinah Maria Mulock Craik, A Life for a Life
I am…
B…simply being…
God bless you all and stay kind.
~Peace~
B...simply being... 