Solving All Our Problems

He’ll be getting dressed for the gala now, our Citizen of the Year Kevin Ryan. Our Chamber of Commerce named Fells True Value Hardware to this honor and Kevin as one of the  founder’s two sons will  be receiving the accolades in less than an hour.When I think of the silly problems I have brought them over the years! I need to cut the thick wire stems of the silk flowers I just bought; can they sell me a tool that will do the job? “You don't want to buy this big thing!  Bring them in here and show us where you want the cut.” I need to duplicate some keys and figure out how to label them.  They do the job in no time and even push the brightly-colored plastic caps onto them for me.  I buy a bathing suit with a metal ring holding the two cups of the bra part too far apart for my comfort; can they take that same awesome wire cutter and sever it so I can stitch the fabric together more modestly?  They do that too, and without even laughing.Jay and I talk about US History and what he likes to call The War of Northern Aggression. Kevin and I often talk about music. He not only bought my last audio book for his own use, he displays the thing right there on the counter and won’t even take a cut on the sale. And Bruce and I? We sometimes grab a minute to talk little about famous battles and the transforming power of love.I can’t attend tonight’s event tonight and so thought to drop off some  flowers at the store this morning. But “Wait for a quieter time” advised Bookends owner Judy Manzo who made this unseal nomination. It was a good suggestion, because, as I now realize, flowers die. But with our friend the Internet here this little post will still be orbiting when the next century turns. Now take a minute and look at the kindness in this face: then join me in saying "Here’s to you all who welcome the stranger . You are an inspiration to all who know you!"