Cinnamon

A very friendly and sweet, mentally challenged woman comes to vacuum and mop our apt complex once a week. If I run into her, we say hi and exchange pleasantries. Today I went to get my mail and she was sitting on the steps taking a break, which she often does (bad knees). I asked her how she was doing and with no hesitation she looks at me with tears in her eyes and says, "My cat died. I got a sympathy card in the mail from the vet today". I am a huge animal lover and having lost many pets myself, I immediately sympathize with her. She tells me all about how Cinnamon her cat had tumors, that he was 13 and she had him his whole life. I tell her how sorry I am, that she did the right thing and how I know how hard it is to lose a pet. I promise her it will get better. She is still crying and upset, and her honest emotion is just breaking my heart, so I hug her. And I think everybody knows what happens when you're barely holding on and then somebody hugs you. You really let go. She had a good cry and then I carried the vacuum back up the steps for her.

A little while later I pass her again in the hall and she says, "You know, you really made me feel better." and THAT made me feel pretty good too.

I wanted to tell this story to remind people to not underestimate the affect you can have on someone, even a stranger. You're a pretty powerful person. The smallest things can make a difference. You could make somebody feel better and that rocks. Now, GO HUG SOME CRYING STRANGERS!

R.I.P. Cinnamon