Kindness

I have been unable to leave the United States for five days.

Last Sunday morning seems a long long way off.

And I was scared.

There were many tears and disappointments as my birth certificate took three days instead of one night to arrive.

But as I finally sit here in the Vancouver airport after being away for nine days instead of four.

I have a few things to share with you.

The world is full of kindness.

And you will never know when your kindness will truly change the course of someone's day.

The meal above was eaten at the Daily Cafe in Oceanside, CA.

The waitress who served me, kept calling me friend every time she asked me if I needed something.

It was surprisingly cool on this particular afternoon, so she asked a server to turn on the patio heater for her friend, as she motioned towards me.

She made sure everything about my meal and coffee and comfort was looked after.

And on a day when I felt very much alone and worried she made me feel less so.

And she will never know, who I was, or how her words and actions made a difference in my life.

This little Carslbad Inn was a godsend.  Thank you Tyler for recommending it.

The large staff soon learned I was the mom without her passport.

Every single person I encountered was wonderful and helpful.

They even upgraded my room at no cost.

It was such a cheerful and bright place to return too. 

The smiles and looks of concern were there no matter who I spoke to.

For this little oasis, I was ever so thankful.

This is Debbie.  

She was an angel for me.

I met Debbie at the GoPro workshop, and when she found out through facebook of my predicament.

She called me immediately and offered me her home and her time.

But I needed to be at the address given to UPS.

She was willing and ready yesterday morning to drive to Los Angeles with me, to apply for a temporary passport, if that was what I decided I needed to do.

She spent an afternoon with me enjoying a wonderful lunch, 

and showing me some of the most beautiful locales.

We talked photography and I knew if I needed anything she was only a phone call away.

And phone calls, she did get : )

I spoke with her several times and also asked her husband for advice when I needed to decide to try for a passport in Los Angeles, and/or find a way to cross the border by ground.

This is Nikki and her baby boy Oliver, who is blowing me a kiss. (See what I mean abou the kindness?)

She was also an angel for me.

I also did not know her before last Thursday and she truly is the reason I am on my way home tonight.

She had immediately offered for me to come to Seattle the very moment I realized my passport was gone.

And when I finally learned I had been given incorrect information, and would not be able to board an international flight without a passport, The Agronomist and I came up with a plan.

I would take Nikki up on her offer and fly to Seattle, then take a bus to Vancouver where my birth certificate and driver's license would suffice at the ground border crossing.
I would then fly home via Vancouver.

Nikki picked me up at the airport last night, had supper ready, and treated me like a friend she had known all her life. The picture above was taken at 6:45 this morning, as we were preparing to leave for the bus station

This trip taught me many things.

When someone is in need, it brings out the best in people.

Humankind is intrinsically good.
Kindness can be found everywhere.

It made everything very clear for me.

I've learned without a doubt that the only thing that matters is family and friends.

Without them, nothing has any colour or meaning.

My home is where my heart is.
I can't wait to hold my girls and The Agronomist.
And you can be sure... I will not be letting go for a very long time!

xoxo,