From the Heart
One of the definitions of Grace is an act or instance of kindness, courtesy or clemency.
Thursday was a clemency day for me.
I was crossing the Logan Street bridge at 7:30 a.m. on the way to get a root canal, when I noticed the car in the right turn lane seemed to be heading straight.
As the light turned green the driver began cutting over in front of me. My hand aimed for my horn. I felt a gentle prodding to slow down and allow her to merge.
I’ve been hearing the word Grace in my head a lot lately. When I act on it, I seem to be less frustrated and ouchity.
Could she be elderly and confused? Could she be just be having a bad morning? I gave her the benefit of the doubt and offered her Grace.
Later in my crazy busy day, everyone decided to come see me at the same time, running (actually walking) back and forth from the new car building to the preowned building and repeating that several times, I just wanted to grab some supper for Chuck and me and get home in time to watch Jeopardy.
I stopped to get two cups of potato soup with baguettes. I smiled as I saw only one person in line.
As I approached the register, I heard the customer giving special instructions for all the sandwiches she was ordering. As her requests grew, I have to admit so did my impatience. She was giving a dissertation on each requested item.
After she finished with the fourth sandwich the gal taking orders asked me what I would like. I began with “I would like two”…and then the dissertation lady interrupted me. She had forgotten something.
The gal taking orders smiled at her and continued with my order. Two cups of potato soup with baguettes. Easy peasy.
Then my impatience turned to an inner laughter. This was hilarious and would make a great story about Grace. I lost my impatience.
As I left, they were still making the dissertation sandwiches and I was well on my way to watch Jeopardy, share supper with my husband and to write a column about Grace.
I have to admit I prefer Grace to be about kindness, not clemency, but with all the construction on State Road 37, going to work every day may involve lots of clemency.