A Kindness Story--I'm Not Too Worried About The Younger Generation

I'm not too worried about the younger generation. Today I pulled up at the gas station that has a free air machine.

I saw a young man, perhaps age 11 or so, filling the air in his bicycle tires. I turned off my engine and waited. I couldn't be sure, but it seemed he rushed when he saw I was waiting.

Now this young man, and I do mean man, had no idea that as an older woman--it's been several decades since I've put air in my tires. I am not helpless, but was feeling a bit of anxiety with my squishy tires and not remembering how to put air in tires.

I attempted to put air in the first tire and had totally forgotten about the young man. But he was at a distance watching me, apparently. He yelled, "Do you need some help?"

I told him, embarrassingly enough, I probably did. No matter how I positioned the thing, no air seemed to be getting in.

He assessed the situation and asked me if I had a tire gauge, since the air machine didn't have one. I said no. He said he'd be glad to run into the gas station and buy one. I was so stunned that a stranger would offer that. I told him I would do it. I walked a few yards, turned around and asked, "What is your favorite snack?" It was his turn to be stunned. He hesitated for a moment. Now, sadly, in today's age--even though I am decent with everyone, especially animals and children,  it's strange for a stranger adult to buy candy for a child. That's why I intentionally used the word: Snack.

That wasn't why he hesitated though. He was just surprised someone wanted to return a kindness.

"Skittles," he said, when I made clear by my facial expression I wanted to show appreciation.

I got the gauge and the Skittles.

He thanked me profusely for the Skittles and I said,"You are a kind man, a kind young man, and you deserve Skittles and much more in this life."

He got busy filling my tire to the exact correct pressure, and gently instructed me on how it all worked. It came back to me, and I was confident I could do the other tire, even though he kept asking if I had another tire that needed air.

I told him I think I remembered now. But this young man took off, but stayed close enough on his bike to make sure I got it. And I had forgotten my glasses, and couldn't read the gauge anyway. So, it turns out I did need his help again.

I was pretty embarrassed, but this young man showed no impatience or even a hint of contempt that someone would forget their glasses and forget about tire gauges and such. He said the second tire has almost zero air and was happy when he got it exactly right, once again.

He complimented my car. I asked him what kind of car he would have someday, when he could. "A Toyota. I like Toyotas!"

He was still on his bike watching me, eating his Skittles, as I pulled away. "Thanks again for the Skittles!"

"No, thank YOU."

This kid has a servant's heart. He was so thrilled to get the tire pressure just right. I'll probably never see this kid again--but I imagine he will grow up and be a huge asset to his employer. And if he decides to be a family man--an even bigger asset to the world.

No, where there is such kindness, delight in helping others and doing a thing right--I am not too worried about the younger generation.

Florence, Colorado: Florence High School, Here's A Happy & Sad Story

Ever hear a story that makes you happy and sad at the same time? I was at the antiques mall working today and a nice lady came in asking to post a flier in the window. We almost always say yes.

You will probably see the posters around town, boasting the logo of the Florence High School mascot. The Florence Huskies, of course.

I happen to have an affection for dogs of all types. But what I really have deep feelings for is a story about young (and older) people making a difference.

The flier reads: Help Fill The FHS (Florence High School) Pantry!

I asked what the FHS pantry was.

The lady with the flier, Stephanie Elkins (FHS class of '88) told me there was a number of FHS students in need, including some that had no running water in their homes.

My jaw literally dropped, as did a customer's, who was standing close by.

I asked if this tragic situation had been going on for along time.

Stephanie told me that she graduated in 1988 from FHS and the problem had been going on at least as long as she had been going to school in the late 80's.

She told us that the high school made sure all students who needed showers were able to do so, at the high school during certain times.

Stephanie also mentioned the drive to fill the FHS pantry is an important need to help fill the gap for students who need food items such as: Canned tuna or chicken, peanut butter and jelly, crackers, cereal, individual serving sizes of soups, pastas, fruits and such. In other words, food that doesn't need refrigeration or complicated cooking.

Another need is hygiene bags: Gallon-size zip bags, wash cloths, soap, travel-size lotion, shampoos and conditioners, socks, combs, brushes, toothpaste, toothbrushes and deodorant, etc.

What was so remarkable about this story, after I got over the surprise of need and the wonderful support of the high school, was at least one of the people behind this food and hygiene items drive.

Stephanie said the pantry program wasn't going as strongly as the need dictated and Stephanie's daughter became impassioned by making the drive a huge success.

What's remarkable is that Stephanie's daughter is a FHS freshman. Her name is Chloe Beauchamp and she is FHS class of 2021.

Now Chloe isn't the only freshman in her class behind this worthy cause. But it was her mother, who was out volunteering her time that I happened to run into.

Why is Chloe so moved to help her fellow classmates? An emphatic heart, according to her mother.

Stephanie told me a few other inspiring things about her daughter, but I think I should let someone else illuminate those details. After all, this is a story that the local media should pick up.

The flier also states the Rocky Mountain Sassenachs will be assisting the FHS freshman class. I looked up that group and found them on Twitter. It's an Outlander fan club.

Stephanie also told me the Florence Police Department found out about the pantry drive and got behind it. Yes, they did! Earlier today the FPD posted about the event on its Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Florence-Police-Department-Colorado-472430029444132/

In case you don't go to the FPD page, suffice it to say, folks can also drop off their donations at the Florence Police Department and city hall and both entities will make sure the students in need get those items.

But the main drop-off for the fill-the-pantry drive is at the Florence Chamber of Commerce at 116 N. Pikes Peak Ave. on Saturday, October 21 from 10 to 2. But donations are also accepted at the chamber office during regular business hours before Oct. 21.

I know Fremont County will come through. And I hope someone sends me a picture of the huge amount of donations, so I can post the picture here.

OK, we're going to do all we can to make sure all the students in need at FHS are taken care of.

And that gets the paws-up approval of our smiling Husky. You didn't know we had a smiling Husky around here. Tsk, tsk. You all should know I have a cute dog picture for EVERY occasion!