~*HoW VeRy SwEEt It Is*~

Dear Friends ~*

When I joined Blicky Kitty's Valentine's Karm-a-thon

earlier this week, I thought I had already decided what

and who I was going to blog about for it.

But then...

I met Eureka in all places ~ Wal Mart

(where I hardly ever go to, "don't even get me started",

just went by to buy a DVD of Fireproof for Valentine's Day)

I was checking out the art supply aisle

when I heard a voice behind me say,

"my daughter likes to make things with beads"

I turned around and there stood a wide smile

on a face missing a few teeth, make up, and

framed with long matted hair.

Her body had long gave up the battle for taking care of it, and was covered

in sweats, and pushing a cart loaded with Valentine items.

(Quite a contrast to "seemingly by all outward appearances to superior

and humble"

me

(this is where you LOL)

standing there polish and so clean in a black trench coat

with freshly pedicured toenails)

"Having a hobby is always a good thing," I said politely

yet uncommittedly back to her.

What happened next was a totally unexpected

impromtu friendly conversation

about her making baby quilts, and how working with

your hands on creating things for others is

the best stress reliever.

Then she called out,

"Hey gorgeous! I'm over here!"

A very shy handsome man in his mid-forties peeked

down the aisle and waved.

That's my husband, and tomorrow we will be celebrating

24 years of being married."

"Congratulations, that something in this day and time!" I responded.

As she strolled down to meet him,

she stopped her cart and stuck out her

chubby unguarded hand for me to shake,

"So very nice to meet you, my name is Eureka!"

I grabbed her hand and lovingly shook it looking into her eyes

and said, "my name is Katie."

And what happened next was totally so out of character for me

(and my semi-Sandra Oh-Grey's character-Christine personality

when it comes to touching strange unknown people)

She pulled me close and bear hugged me for a full 20 seconds!

We continued to part exchanging pleasantries and goodbyes

walking opposite ways down the aisle

until finally we turned our corners

and left in separate directions.

My life was so changed for the better and kinder after that ~

Call it human connection

maybe it was a "God thing"

Or just a touch that sparked and brought out

a bigger joy and love for others

all others for the rest of the day

and it is still lingering in my mind this morning.

A Valentine Karma.

We all can do it, just by reaching out to those around us

and interacting with those who are different and seemingly

have nothing in common with us.

Albert Schweitzer said it this way

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown again

into flame by an encounter with another human being.

Each of us owes the deepest thanks

to those who have rekindled this inner light."

Thank you doesn't seem adequate to those who have

flamed my light and restored my fire this week,

just to name a few....

Anna

Melissa

Sally

Vera

Don

Tom

Dulcy

Sloane

Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm

Patricia at The Unfinished Flower

Heather at Creative Solace

Blicky Kitty

My precious Mark

AnD of course...

EuReKa!

Blessings my sweet Friends,

Katie