As usual I have no excuses for not posting anything to Bellhops for so long. I have a few drafts posts I wrote but never finalized. I doubt my poor habits will change, but I’m posting something now.
Here we are, almost Labor Day Weekend 2021. Still in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, still wearing masks, still social distancing, many of us still working remotely. Fires are raging here in Northern California as well as other places. I read this morning that the Dixie Fire has already impacted over 750,000 acres. I remember when the Woolsey Fire (2012?) that encompassed 95,000 acres and many, many homes, seemed unbelievably awful. It was awful. But the fires now? Yikes. Even the 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed the town of Paradise, was small (150,000 acres) when compared to the Dixie Fire that has been raging since July 14 and is still only 48% contained. My heart goes out to the families who have lost a loved one, to all the people who have lost their homes, and to the fire fighters and other emergency responders who continue to try to contain this fire. And while the Dixie Fire may be the worst fire right now, there are so many others raging.
Despite all the bad things happening in the world – and I’m not going to list more of them – there is still room for gratitude and joy. My twin brother continues to make me laugh, my older brother is still saving lives in his ER, I have friends and family who love me, I have a roof over my head, a job, and cats who keep me warm even when it’s 90+ degrees outside. I am truly privileged and thankful for all I have and I try to give back as much as I can, however imperfect my efforts may be.
Since we all see and hear so much gloom and doom – don’t even get me started on what I read on NextDoor! – I have a sweet story to share.
Yesterday I went to the Starbucks drive-thru to pick up an iced latte for myself and a frappuccino for my Slacker twin. I groaned when I arrived because the line was pretty long and I could tell there was also a crowd inside. I had my iPhone, though, so easy enough to pass the time. As I waited, I noted that the car in front of me was the color of chartreuse. I admit, I thought, “who drives a car that color?” But to each their own – whatever makes you happy. Nevertheless, I had to take a picture and send it to Slacker because we had just been talking about the color chartreuse and he had said he had no clue what kind of color it was but he liked the name. Here was a perfect example for him. Anyway, I chill out in line listening to the radio, browsing Instagram, keeping myself entertained. When I finally get to the window, I reach my arm out with my phone so my Starbuck’s code can be scanned to pay for the order, and the Starbuck barista (that might be the first time I used barista in a sentence) says to me, “So, yeah, the guy in the car in front of you paid for your order. He liked your hair and that you seemed really happy.”
How nice is that!?!
I was happy. My blue hair makes me happy (blue hair don’t care). I slept in and was having a relaxing morning and that makes me happy. I would soon have a nice cold latte in my paws and be hanging out with my twin and that makes me happy. And I was listening to a great segment on KQED from Moth Radio – Hey Buddy, with John Goode – and I was cracking up. More happiness. This treat by a random stranger driving a chartreuse car just made my heart sore with the sweetness. Don’t ever doubt how a little gesture can transform a person’s day. I went from starting the day of just right to me and my Subaru floating 10 feet above the asphalt.
As to the Hey Buddy Moth Radio segment I was laughing to – please listen to it. Moth Radio has great stories, told by great storytellers, that run a real spectrum of experiences. This one is no exception.
That’s it for now. A little thought blurp from my chaotic brain.
And if you are feeling down because of all the crappy shit happening out there, remember you aren’t alone, depression is real, and if you need help reach out for it. Help is available from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day: 800-273-8255.
Where are the Bellhops? 