The Basket Lady

In the Good Humor Town, numerous individuals in the River Valley have shown a kindness- just by the single act of being kind.

Our dear Dot Sanchas, who loved to cook and bake, wrote the Kindness Counts column for the Rumford Falls Times, and always included one of her classic recipes.

I walked over to her house one afternoon and there she was, standing at the kitchen counter humming to herself with flour all over the counter, floor and her hands. She was making a wedding cake for some lucky couple. Her silver hair and apron were covered in flour and batter.

She looked a sight but the instant she stirred the batter, it was magical. The powder from the flour flew up from the bowl and around her waist, some of it shot up on her eyebrow but she just kept right on stirring and humming.

Dot’s secret ingredients though, were always about love and kindness. The single act-ion of kindness.

How many times have you been cheered by a small act of kindness?

I can think of many: John Marcellino mowed the lawn recently. Joe Sirois and Anne Wood plucked a basketful of yummy vegetables from their garden. Barbara Morse dropped by with a box load of goodies for the basket projects.

Irene Bilodeau left a basket surprise along with a Red Sox mug on the front porch. Norman Robichaud will take a day hike with me on a moment’s notice and even packs extra bags of raisins and nuts, too.

Gestures of kindness don’t have to make the history books to make them worthwhile.

Think of everyone for whom you’ve done a favor, and know that they would agree.

The following angels in training deserve a big round of applause for a job well-done and for a kindness shown:

Valerie Jacobs, OT; Carlene Robinson; Cindy, RHC Kitchen; Jennifer LeDuc; Clancey, the canine; Annette Marin;

Anne Wood and Joseph Sirois; Lorraine Nadeau; Tootie Hines; Louise Marcellino; Tricia Thurston; and Chris Durant.

Kindness not only counts but it adds up! We miss you every day, Dot Sanchas!

Keep the flow of giving going outward; get a basket-give a basket. Until then, smile and live in the present.