Remembering Kindness Counts

To the Editor:

Oct. 28, 2012 marked the fourth year since my mother, Dot Sanchas, passed away.

Thinking of her in the wee hours led me to write a note as the Kindness Counts column she wrote for many years.

When she began to write about the theme of "Kindness," I expected that subject would be quickly exhausted in our town. Dot Sanchas was my mother and she was like a mother to countless others.

On the few occasions that she was much too busy to write her weekly column, I was allowed to write on her behalf. With my chosen subjects ranging from friends and ancestors to the simple elegance of tea time, the gap was filled along with the usual two recipes that followed.

My residency in Florida has denied me the comfort that bereavement offers. Though I greeted many of you during the funeral services, I have never seen the sympathy cards sent by so many of you. Also missed during visits to Maine are the contacts with those whom mother held dear.

Those friends were like the leaves of autumn foliage in that each was unique and beautiful by itself, yet breathtaking when combined as a whole.

Mother and her friends were mutally blessed to have each other, but then isn't that also true between us and our own? Friends are our chosen family and a gift from God.

Kindness remains an act that can and will change acts, yet that is good for self-awareness only; a reminder to continue on that concourse throughout our lives. The random acts eventually become an aspect of who you are, and a natural part of your day.

Kindness is an important way in which we may impact lives forever, perhaps without our realizing the magnitude. It isn't easy to keep it secret when we do our best, so not letting our left hand know what the right hand is doing may be a challenge at first.

There is an abundant supply of anecdotes in the memories of the friends of Dot Sanchas. Many are humorour, and others spiritually reflect her great heart for others.

Hopefully you will share some with me and other friends and relatives, and if enough are added to the family favorities, they may be published privately and shared with you. Please mail them to Kindness Counts, 293 Gibbons Ave., Holly Hill, FL 32117.

Nov. 4 marked the 90th year of her birth. Happy birthday mom. Thanks for the love you gave to so many!

A biscuit to share

2 cups self-rising flour

1/2 cup solid shortening

1 cup milk

Cut shortening into self-rising flour. Add milk and stir til moistened. Place batter into greased nine-inch cake pan or pie plate. Bake at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes.

Mom's better box cake

1.5 cups water

1/2 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

mix above ingredients, then add:

Box of cake mix

One package of instant pudding

1/2 cup of self-rising flour.

Mix well, pour into prepared pans and bake at 350 degree til tests done.

Like mom, I wrote these recipes in the wee hours when only half awake!

Jonathan Berkleigh,

Holly Hill, FL