Kindness Has No Shape or Colour.

EAT. PRAY. LOVE

So earlier today I made this lovely homemade loaf but had run out of fresh ingredients to make a meal of it so I decided to run to the store to buy some fresh spring onions, spinach, fresh tomatoes, sweet potatoes, etc. While queuing up at checkout I see this woman with her 3 boys still picking and putting stuff into her basket. She's in the queue right in front of me. Her kids have clearly just come out of nursery or school. One had his trousers half way down with laces everywhere, the other is climbing the freezer and the third with a snotty nose keeps putting chocolate bars in his mums basket. With my head phones & sun glasses on, I'm literally shaking my head thinking omg this is a disaster waiting to happen. I look up to check on the mother, almost to say, "Sort out your kids" but she seems super engrossed in her phone. It seems she's either texting or checking her bank balance.

The cashier puts her stuff through and instead of packing up her groceries as you would, she's still super focused on her phone. Obviously I had food to cook so I'm beginning to feel impatient with her lack of awareness or consideration for other people in the queue. The cashier gives her this look as if to say "pay the bill & get going-NEXT!!". Haha.. Anyway the lady then puts her phone away and immediately apologises and says to the cashier "I thought I had the money in my account. It turns out something has gone in twice and I now have to call my bank to sort it. I'm so sorry. I'm going to have to leave it." The cashier rings the bell for a supervisor to void the lady's shopping before obviously proceeding with mine of cause. The Lady yells out for her kids whom by now are feeling quite eager to munch on what mum has bought. They're literally scattered around the shop floor. They come running towards her and she says to them, "Sorry but mummy can't buy these things anymore." One of the boys says to her, "Why not mum"?? She looks so emotional. I mean the last thing any mother needs is not being able to pay a bill and have kids crying or yelling in the shop.

Anyway my patients is running on a thin line but I immediately put my self in her shoes and instantly felt so sorry for her. I then asked the cashier how much her bill was? Then I told the cashier to put it through and add it to my shopping bill. The lady heard this and starts to get even more emotional. She looks at me and says "oh my God are you sure?". Am I sure?. No, I am absolutely not sure. What I actually am is broke. But I can't just watch a mother with kids go hungry. It was just too much for me, and as it's literally happening right in front of me, I really couldn't help but do something. I must have felt like a guardian angel to her.

The things she was buying apart from the chocolates her kids put into the basket all seemed like their dinner for tonight. So again I ask my self, I'm I sure? Absolutely not!! But my mum always thought me to give what I can to people who needed it more. Yes, I am broke but I'm not starving. I'm not on the street. I"m not counting my pennies at the store to buy my self dinner either. I am broke enough to not be able to afford a new dress to my friend's wedding coming up in July. I'm broke enough not to be able to afford those new pairs of shoes which keeps me up at night. I'm so broke I can't afford my brand new website to be upgraded but I"m coping well with a standard page. I'm so broke I can't afford to pay a continuos charge for Facebook to keep promoting my new food blog but with the kind of friends and support I have, I'm pretty sure the word will get around soon enough. That is the kind of broke I'm dealing with which is no big deal. It will pass by soon enough..

So again, yes I can simply afford to give my last dime to a complete stranger so that her kids can eat tonight. So that what ever emotions she's going through, she's not so stressed out later about everything else and about her kids going hungry. Long story short, she takes my number down, saying she'll call to pay me back. I told her not to bother as it can happen to the most of us. She's so thankful she gives me a hug and tells her kids "this lady is paying for our shopping". Whether she calls or not, I am just happy that she is happy and her kids who didn't seem to care much about what was going on are happy too. (Bless them) I hope the lesson she and others learn is that, kindness can go a long way and also a good deed has no colour, shape or religion. Anyone can be a helping hand. And regardless of who you are or how much you have, helping someone and putting a smile on their face is simply priceless. (EAT. PRAY. LOVE)

I finally made my meal of Sweet Potato slices served with Grilled Fish on a bed of Red Onions and Spinach, Tomatoes And Spring Onions cooked with olive oil and slices of that home made loaf. Much Love. #VanicksKitchen xoxo