A Kindness Rewarded

 The day I happened to go shopping at Costco, it was a mad house. Many of the shoppers had their carts filled to the brim or over. The lanes that were open had long lines. I had two items and a lady standing behind me had about six items, but no cart and I noticed she seemed to be overwhelmed. I told her she could share my cart, and she was thankful and told me that her arms were ready to give out!

The lady in front of me, with lots of items, turned and said to me that since I only had two items I could go ahead of her. I thanked her and moved ahead of her and the lady that was using by cart came along with me. When we got to the checkout she said, "You have been so kind to let me use your buggie, that I am buying your two items!" I told her it was not necessary, but she insisted so I ended up with my twenty- two dollar items being free. 

I thanked her and we both thanked the lady who had let me in. We had to walk out together because she had the receipt. When I put my stuff in my trunk, the woman went happily on her way with the cart!

I realized it was one of those pay-it-forward type of things!

Celebration of Life for Mico

 Married we could not live together, but separated we were good friends. We were married on May 19, 1962 and divorced in December of 1968. We had two children, and he remarried and had three children. Holidays were always difficult because we all celebrated in different home until my son decided he would host at his home. We were united for the different holidays and took a few trips together because of our children.

After his wife and our son passed away, we continued our friendship. He enjoyed writing poetry and asked me to type his work in Spanish and also to translate it into English. We did this for a few years until I told him I could no longer continue working for him because I had my own volunteering life. I learned a lot about his life through his writing and in talking to him. We still would get upset with each other, so it convinced me that the divorce had been the correct move for both of us!

He became ill and spent many days in the hospital. He lost a lot of weight and needed help daily. I met some of his caretakers and some were good, and others were not. His last stint in the hospital was for a couple of months. I visited him at Lutheran and St. Joseph's but did not see him when he went to Swedish hospital. His two sons had their hands full watching over him.

And then came the call. He had passed away on January 30, 2025. On April 12, 2025, there was a celebration of his life. How he would have enjoyed seeing friends and family gathered together to remember him. My daughter prepared an impressive slide show showing some of the things he did; like family, work, parties, travels, coaching, teaching, and writing!

I enjoyed seeing people from my past. I was happy that three of our four grandchildren were in attendance. There were many nieces and nephews, and South Carolina, Missouri, and California were the out of state people.

I heard a comment that he was now with his wife, two of his sons and five siblings enjoying their company in heaven! 

Americo N. Moscoso born December 6, 1935, and departed this earth on January 30, 2025. RIP

The Hawiian Shirt

 About ten years ago, when the Young at Heart group at Spirit of Christ Catholic Community had a Hawiian party, I purchased a Hawiian shirt for the get together. A few years ago, I did some downsizing and got rid of a lot of clothing. This year, we are having another Hawiian party and I was sorry I had gotten rid of my shirt. Or did I? I looked for the shirt but could not find it, so I determined I had given it away.

On the Internet I found colorful shirts with flamingoes, palm trees, fish, flowers and anything that looked Hawaiin. The shirts I liked were too pricey. My next move was to go to Wal-Mart but the only shirts that looked Hawaiian were men's shirts. I purchased one but when I got home it was too large.  I returned the shirt.

Why did I get rid of my shirt? Why didn't I hang on to it? These thoughts went through my mind. Yet, lurking in the back of my mind I sort of remembered folding the shirt and placing it in a box! I looked in a box in my closet and there was no Hawaiin shirt. St. Anthony was called upon to find my shirt just in case I had actually packed it somewhere. In another closet, in another box I took the lid off and there it was, my Hawiian shirt! Also, in the box was a purple Rockies' t-shirt, an orange and blue Bronco shirt, a Mexican shirt and a green St. Patrick's shirt. My faulty memory didn't even remember packing those shirts away! Now I have four shirts to wear if we ever celebrate baseball, football, St. Pat's Day or Cinco de Mayo! What I thought I had lost has now been found!