the cafe i was working at sells bottles of topo chico sparkling water, which are glass and require bottle openers to consume. the other day a customer bought one and asked me to open it. they told me that last time they didn’t get the bottle opened, were walking down the street struggling and someone pulled over a truck, took off their belt, opened the bottle with belt buckle and drove away all before any words or thanks could be shared. the customer was astonished by this experience, we exchanged marveled half smiles that reached our eyes.
moments passed, the customer had gone to sit down and i said aloud to them that i didn’t know that belt buckles could open bottles, still marveling.
i love that they told me this and i love that someone noticed a struggle from a moving vehicle and intervened. and i love these generous inconspicuous acts that alter me, encourage me after hearing about them.
in this place, sometimes people see a need and meet it and move on with their lives.
the people, creatures, beings, plants, surfaces, vehicles, atmospheres, neighborhoods, spirits that surround us are so ready, so equipped to love us.
may we keep thanking them, keep sharing our astonishment.