The Basket Lady

Basket Lady enjoys taking an afternoon stroll around downtown Rumford and usually, will step into The Second Wind or Second Time Around Shop, I don’t pay attention to the sign on the window, obviously; and have a visit with Richard Hutchins.

I picked out some gifts for friends and headed home to get the wallet and the truck but left my safari hat and brown fleece jacket at home and as I walked into the shop, Richard looked up and said, “I didn’t recognize you wearing your clothes. I had to look twice.” A customer bent over picking through some videos abruptly stood up, whipped her head around and stared with a quizzical look on her face. I think she wanted to “see” if I was wearing my birthday suit. It took a second or two but once I realized what he’d said, we shared a wonderful laugh because Richard always sees me wearing my safari hat, rain pants, two shirts and a fleece jacket. The customer quickly purchased her videos and left the shop while we were still laughing.

I mentioned to Richard that I was looking for items to put in a basket to donate to Safe Voices as October is the month that Domestic Violence is observed in our state and communities -- before I left, he had donated some lovely items for a large care and comfort basket.

Life is filled with wonderful surprises and several weeks ago, Basket Lady was in need of more items to put in the baskets when Joyce Saisi, left three boxes on the front porch filled with various items of, children’s games, clothes, canned goods, and magazines that’s going into a large gift basket for the Chisholm School to give to a family in need.

Just in time for the recent Tinpanic show, Barbara “Jean” Smith unexpectedly shows up with two large bags of her homemade seat cushions that I happily slung over my left shoulder; huffed and puffed while carrying them up two flights of stairs on my way to the auditorium just before show time and met up with Tom Carey and his lovely bride, he playfully asked, “Are you bringing your laundry, too?” I still managed to laugh even though I was out of breath.

Carolynne Nash surprised the Basket Lady with a gift basket of yellow Mums recently and now, I really do need to give a basket to someone to show that I walk my talk and that the universal flow of kindness blooms all year long.

Friends, show someone a kindness today. Don’t delay. Kindness not only counts but it adds up!

We miss you Dot Sanchas, kind lady, every day. Until then, smile and live in the present.