Starting today, each Sunday I will write a post and present acts of kindness that you the reader tell me about. Check the category at the top of this page. Click on it and share any act of kindness that has happened to you or someone you know. I will share these the following Sunday.

We know there are all kinds of big problems in our world today, but the everyday acts of kindness (perhaps considered small ones) that happen to/by everyday people often go unnoticed. I wish to share these, as I can. There are two acts of kindness to report about today. The first a personal one; the second shared by Lesley Fletcher.

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BARRACUDA’S!

This act of kindness is a personal one that I’ve been wanting to share for quite awhile. There is a coffee house – Barracuda Coffee, here in Richland, (Tri-Cities) Washington where they serve great coffee.  And this weekend they are celebrating their 10th’ Anniversary.

But the act of kindness I’m going to mention began when we did not really know the owners personally. It was where “up until 3 years ago” my daughter’s husband Duane, would stop each afternoon to get her special cup of brew for her.

He’d always take a few minutes to joke and chat with them at the drive-thru window while he scribbled “I love you” on those little tabs put in the coffee lid to keep the coffee hot. Which they (the owner and the workers there) all noticed. It was also 3 years ago that Duane lost his life suddenly (in an accident) from a careless driver.

A few days after the accident I showed up to get my daughter’s coffee for her, One of the owners Michelle, came to the window and said, “I’ve given directions to the staff that Christina will never have to pay for her coffee, ever! Our way of remembering what a loving husband he was to a loving wife.” (And to save her the money for the cost of her favorite drink she would no longer be able to afford to buy.)

As I mentioned, it’s been 3 years. Her coffee is still free, as it is explained to each new employee who comes to work there. And beautiful and affectionate expressions are frequently written to Christina on the side of her coffee cup! Their expressions and attitude are generous and loving when they hand her the free cup of coffee – 3 years later.

As I mentioned at the beginning, this weekend marks Barracuda’s 10th year Anniversary and I can’t think of a better way to thank them than to let the world know what an amazing and loving small business Coffee Shop they are. There is no doubt that this act of kindness to Christina comes from loving hearts. And my daughter and myself stay very appreciative.

Each day Christina drops by to get her cup of coffee, made just the way she likes it! She leaves, her day a little brighter and a smile on her face. Some individuals/small business owners are pretty awesome aren’t they?

And one more thing: Check this out!

 

Their physical location:

• 2171 Van Giesen St.
• Richland, Washington 99354

(And starting this weekend they are now serving beer and wine in addition to their deliciously brewed coffee!) If you’re a local, I encourage you drop by!

https://www.facebook.com/BarracudaCoffeeCompany

Please do check out and “like” their facebook page for the other acts of kindness (this community active small business stays involved with)!

As for us (Duane’s family), we can only humbly say, thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

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The second act of kindness I am reporting comes from one of our fellow bloggers, the talented Author and Artist Leslie Fletcher:

Books & Art – Spirit & Soul: (In Lesley’s own words) “I was nice and kind yesterday. While I enjoy the songs and the sight of birds and even speak to them and whistle to them from a distance, I am a huge chicken and have a bit of a phobia (Thanks Mum  ) always fearing they will end up in my hair which has been described as a nest anyway.
Yesterday I was washing my car and fiddling in the front garden when I heard my phone ring in the back. It’s not normal for me to put things down to answer a phone call but I did.
When I reached the back yard I noticed a black thing in the pool. On further investigation I saw it was a small robin. It was trying with all its might to somehow get lift off out of the salty water. I reached for the skimmer on a stick with a net at the end and took my life in my hands (Yes I just said that) to lift the exhausted birdie from the pool. Of course I was ready to drop everything and make a run for safe ground should he attack me and said hair.
As it turned out the poor thing was so exhausted and traumatized he lay limp with his head down and wings spread. I thought I was too late and that he died.
Softly and gently I lay down the skimmer pole and backed up. Every half hour I checked on him. Originally I left him in full sunlight so that he may dry. My first visit back saw that his feathers were dry but he had not moved. He was cheeping very quietly and I took this as a good sign. I carefully lifted the pole again and moved him to the shade.
In all he stayed put for 3 hours. And then he flew. And it felt so great to have saved a life.”

Thank you Lesley, for saving his precious little life. A rich and fulfilling feeling. And Act of Kindness most definitely!

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And this concludes this segment of “Acts of Kindness for the week.” I look forward to hearing from you. Please share the acts of kindness you know of, I’m anxious to pass it on to others to remind us all that there are sharing and loving people out there who go unnoticed every day! Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed,

~ Penny