This past Monday, Ms. Leora Cook came by my office for help with her insurance. After helping her with what was a very easy task, she displayed a beautiful caramel cake as a gift to me and my office. Needless to say, it tasted wonderful. Everyone in the immediate office complex was thankful.
Of course, the cake was not necessary in order for me to help her with her insurance. However, when this 84 year old woman presented it to me, it was much appreciated.It is odd the things that we remember. Maybe the gift of cowboy boots to a young boy. A gift from my Uncle Avery in Greenwood. A purchase that would have been frivolous for my family at that time. Or maybe the fun that my Uncle Earl would bring home in a large brown paper bag. A bag filled with sparklers and fire crackers. In the cold air of a Louisville, MS night, we would slip out into the yard and fire them off, whole packs of firecrackers at a time, writing our names in the air with the sparklers.
At least ten years ago, when my children were much younger, my family went to Margarita's for Mexican food. Across the restaurant, sat Chet Dillard and his wife, Marilyn. I had helped Chet with his campaign for Attorney General many years earlier. We exchanged pleasantries. Chet and Marilyn went back to their meal and we returned to our table and ordered ours. Chet waved goodbye as he left the restaurant, my family enjoying our food. When we were finished with our meal, I asked the waiter for the check. He told me that the man across the way (Chet), had paid for our meal. Ever since, I have appreciated that simple gesture of kindness.
All those memories because of a caramel cake. Or maybe the generosity, appreciation and kindness that it took to make it. Maybe we should all make an effort to be a little kinder. To be a generous giver. A giver of our time and money and appreciation. Because, take my word for it... people remember.
