The norm is what we make it

A groomed cross country ski trail

Minoqua Winter Park

It was time to stop for gas on the way home from Wisconsin.  Also lunch. Somewhere north of the Illinois border, I found a Hardees.  I love their charcoal broiled hamburgers -- and haven't seen a Hardees in years.

The hamburger "to go" even had the wrapper thoughtfully turned back so you could eat without worrying about something dropping on your lap - the wrapper would catch the catsup or the crumbs.  Wonderfully simple and thoughtful touch.

I couldn't find the credit card slot at the nearby gas station.  Finally concluding there wasn't one, I filled my tank and went inside to pay.  The smiling clerk confirmed that paying is done inside -- after you have filled your car.

"Do you ever have anyone just drive away?"  I had to ask.

She paused, smiled, and "No."

It felt like another planet -- one where I'd like to live, where a sandwich presentation is thoughtfully designed to help the eater not make a mess, and gas stations trust total strangers.

Taking this feeling of joy and well being a step further, it was a glimpse of the Kingdom of God, I think -- where harmony, honesty, and thoughtfulness are the norm. 

Kindness of strangers

This expert skier did not fall.

She was giving a lesson in how to get back up.

We skied Camp Sagawau today. Ever since his brother came back from a weekend with Grandma where they cross-country skied, the other brother has been eager to try.

If he fell down once today, he fell 20 times. And each time, with a grin as broad as a new moon, he bounced back to his feet.

A woman in yellow-accented ski clothing saw my grandson at his one unhappy moment when the glove lining wouldn’t go back into the finger places. While I worked on his glove, he sat on the snow surrounded by skis and poles.

She sized up the situation and assumed he didn’t know how to get up. Striking up a friendly conversation, she offered to show him how to get up. She grabbed his full attention when she flopped down face first in the snow, “Whoops, I fell.” She then proceeded to show him step by step how to get back up, “Like a puppy, use all four feet!”

When she turned around to see how he was taking all this instruction, he had forgotten his annoyance with the glove, was already standing upright on his skis and grinning widely.

“Oh, look at that!” She exclaimed good naturedly at his quick success. “I’m outta here!”

Later a woman sprawled helplessly across a small upgrade. A young man below her was quietly offering good advice on how to get back up. Eventually she got her skis off and walked up – with a smile. The guy greeted me by name. It was Ben, a member of my Interfaith group!

This woman was a stranger -- not just blocking the hill, but in need; and Ben followed through, waiting till she had her skis back on at the top. We chatted briefly and he glided on ahead. About half an hour later, he was helping a mom and her small daughter get into their bindings at the trailhead. What a sweet guy!

These strangers, to the people they helped, were angels in cross-country ski garb. They saw a need and were there to help. I am continually grateful to the woman who befriended my grandson; and I will certainly think of Ben with new respect for how he lives his faith.

“We see eye to eye and know as we are known,
reciprocate kindness and work wisely,
in proportion as we love.”
Mary Baker Eddy

Why cross country?

Completing the 2.2K loop

My oldest grandson and I had a special adventure. We went north to the snow country to visit Kim and to learn cross country skiing. And there was so much love.

Cross country is quite fun once you get into it. Unlike downhill, cross country skiing is work. While gravity helps you a little, you use your whole body most of the time – which is also part of the appeal.

And it’s beautiful. Even as your feet glide across a foot of snow, at eye level the white stuff perches delicately on green pine branches against blue sky. You hear the quiet.

Like most quiet sports, you are one with your environment. It’s like the difference between driving through your neighborhood and walking along the same streets. You discover special details at the slow speed that are lost when driving.

In cross country, you ski downhill, and you also ski uphill. Fish-scale etchings on the bottom of these narrow skis keep you from sliding backwards as you trek up the gentler inclines. And they don’t interfere with gathering speed downhill.

Kim’s son – a gentle giant of a guy on the Conserve School cross country ski team – was so kind and patient, guiding me through the 2.2 K loop.

When my grandson felt he had failed because he fell down in the first 15 minutes and was ready to quit, Kim made him feel loved and worthwhile.

She helped him put learning new skills into perspective by telling him funny stories about her own “face plants" – when she had fallen flat on her face. So he cheered up, went out with our group, and proudly completed the 2.2 K loop.

“All nature teaches God's love to man . . .” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy)

And so do kind people.