On many occasions, I have seen, heard or read about things in this valley that have made my blood boil and made me want to publicly comment about them in a letter to the editor. But eventually my anger would cool, time would pass and being a natural procrastinator, I would never follow through.

Who would have thought that what would finally get me off my duff to have a letter published in the Kern Valley Sun would be a random act of kindness on the part of a total stranger.

Last Sunday after church, I was buying my three-year-old a hot chocolate at Starbucks as is our weekly tradition. I commented to her on a beautiful red mug I saw, saying I would love to have it for Valentines Day. I then added that daddy probably wouldn’t get it for me saying we have too many mugs already. A few minutes later a lovely lady, whose name I was to learn was Birdie Foster, tapped me on the shoulder in the bread aisle. Smiling, she handed me a Starbucks bag containing the red mug I had so admired. Without much ado, she simply said she knew I wanted it and thought it would make me happy. Her sweet gesture moved me to tears and after a big hug of thanks, the two of us chatted and shared a few moments of conversation about the people and places we both knew.

So here’s to you, Birdie of Weldon. You made my weekend. What a sweetheart you are! If only everyone, myself included, would act on their better impulses as you did what a wonderful place this world would be.

Rest assured, when I reach for that coffee mug every morning, I will think of you and smile.

Susan Barr

Bodfish