The BRIGHT SPOT Awards: No. 064

Friday, April 21, 2023

Recipient:

Hannah @ Little Finch, LoDo

Hannah was sitting at the tiny table for two next to mine when I noticed the oatmeal-colored canvas backpack resting atop her wheelie suitcase. 

My first thought was, What an elegant accessory! 

My second thought was, How in the world does she keep it so clean?

And because I am friendly, and also congenitally unable to keep a compliment to myself, we had a conversation that went straight to the heart in short order.

I admired the design and pristine state of her backpack. She mentioned how odd that was, especially since she worked with children (studying their development). Work talk led me to reveal to her something few other people knew: Three hours earlier I had given notice at my job. I wanted something more creative and free-range. Then we were off to the races, talking about meaningful employment and other matters of the soul. 

Her presence that afternoon was a blessing. She was a wonderful listener and a kindred spirit whose enthusiasm for her calling reflected how I want to feel about the next chapter of my career. 

Hannah, wherever you are, thank you for being open to converse with a stranger. 

It was exactly what I needed.

The BRIGHT SPOT Awards: No. 063

Saturday, April 8, 2023

Recipient:

Michael @ King Soopers, Capitol Hill

First off, you need to know something: 

Some people have Resting Bitch Face, I have Resting Sad Face. (My mouth naturally turns down so my neutral face looks sad.)

Enter a guy, working in the produce department.

He observes me staring off into space.

Him: Can I help you find something?

Me, snapping back to the present: Oh! No. I was just trying to figure out what ingredients I might be missing for a recipe. Didn't write them down, of course.

Him: All right. I had to ask. You just had the saddest look on your face...

It rather takes my breath away, this brief moment of kindness and care. Because it is so unexpected.

Because a stranger notices something and then actually reaches out. 

Small thing, and really rather beautiful. 

By the time I finish my shopping and decide to give the guy an award he's on his break. 

Now what? Do I hang around the grocery store for twenty minutes and hand him the award in person? Do I give it to a co-worker to pass on? I decide to stay and wander through the aisles and try not to feel too much like a stalker. Totally worth it! I give him the award and he is nice enough to pose for a picture. 

The BRIGHT SPOT Awards: No. 062, for real

Friday, March 17, 2023

Recipients:

Kelli and Meredith @ First Interstate Bank, Cherry Creek

We were up against a work deadline on my actual birthday, so I took off the next available Friday, which happened to be St. Patrick's Day. 

Part of my day was about doing some nice things for myself -- fun, creative, pampering. 

The other part was about getting some errands done. 

You may be thinking, "Oooh, errands. The excitement!"

Well, yes. 

I was actually looking forward to getting some things checked off my list. Working from home for the last 15 years made me forget about silly little things like business hours. I now have an extremely busy J-O-B now, with limited time to do things like eating a bit of lunch, never mind calling the insurance company or the plumber.

How busy, you ask? So busy that I had been unable to find time to visit a brick-and-mortar branch of my bank even though one exists two doors down from my office. Yeah. I had to take a day off to make that happen.

My mother had sent me a check at Christmas meant for the four of us. The problem was that she made the check out to "Michelle, Mike & the boys". I was pretty sure my bank wouldn't be able to cash it, but I thought it'd be worthwhile to ask someone in person.

Kelli was at the teller window, so I handed the check to her and explained my dilemma. She looked at it and after a few minutes of consideration, called over Meredith.

Could Mike sign it as well? 

Yes, but "the boys" are named as well. 

And I imagine they are minors? said she. 

Yep, said I. 

They were trying so hard to figure out what in the world to do so cashing the check would be legal, and being so polite about it, and finally we all ended up in fits of giggles. In the end they couldn't do it, but it was a lovely exchange and we all agreed wholeheartedly that it was the thought that counted.