A long time ago, I learned the meaning of trust and integrity.
Oddly enough, it was over a donut. An éclair, to be precise.
I was about 12 or so and we’d just moved to a place called Waianae, which at the time, was kind of the Compton of Hawai’i. Worse still, home life wasn’t exactly roses and sunflowers and I was an awkward, fucked up kid. We’ll leave that right there for now. Suffice it to say, life wasn’t great.
My younger sister went to the elementary and I used to walk with her from the bus stop. On the way to the house there was a bakery and if I had money on me, I’d grab us both something to snack on. I didn’t always have money and she was 8 so she never had any. But that doesn’t matter, older sibling always pays. Just like the eldest at the table pays when its sibs and/or family. It’s what you do.
It wasn’t often and certainly we couldn’t have been considered regulars but one day we’d picked a couple of things out and I was a quarter or thirty-five cents short. There were two women behind the counter…one said which donut do you want to put back? I was about to tell her to put the eclair back because… you know, younger sister but then…
The other one said; bring it tomorrow.
They argued about it right in front of me. First lady was of the opinion they’d never see us again. Second lady said; Sometimes you have to have faith in people. You have to trust.
I wasn’t a good kid. Hell, I wasn’t a good person. I wasn’t even a viable human being but in that moment, I was going to be fucking damned if I proved that first woman right. So I returned the next day with the coins and said thank you.
Second woman said thank you and you’re welcome then turned to the first and said; See?
It was a small step toward being human for me. I’d lost my rudders a few years before. Both of my grandfathers who I only saw periodically but whom I depended on so much passed away within a year of one another and then the dog I’d had since birth died of cancer. Life after those events were just so much hell and they wouldn’t get better until I was nearly in my mid-twenties.
But in that moment, someone I didn’t know was proud of me.
And I’ve carried that moment ever since.
It helps shape me. It helps me remember who I need to be in the darkest of times. It helps me remember who I should be when there is a fork in the road when I can choose my path.
Not to say I’m brilliant and fantastic and saintly. God hell no. There are plenty of times when I just say fuck it, let someone else light the goddamned candle. But I try. That’s all I can do is try.
That’s all any of us can do.
So in this holiday season—and beyond as well—be the kid who returns with the quarter… or be the woman who says bring it tomorrow. Have faith. Use good judgment but have faith.
Or restore it. I think that’s the greatest gift you can give to someone who’s placed their trust in you.
Merry Christmas Rhys … you deserve it!
Have a great holiday!
You ARE brilliant and fantastic. I can’t speak for saintly :)…but your kindness and insight are beautiful, as is this post.
Merry All the Holidays to you!
Oh no there are soooo many days when I just wanna shiv a bitch *grins*
Get some cocoa and have a great holiday! <3
Great post! Thanks for the reminder of how much a little trust and faith can do. And also that even if we don’t always succeed, we need to keep trying.
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays! <3
Amen. Happy Hols. <3
<3 <3
I love this story. I hope you have a very blessed holiday.
smooooooches
*Hugs* The best to you & yours this Holiday!🎄🤗☃
As usual your words paint a snapshot of life everyone can relate to…after all we have been a version of 12yr old Rhys when the world was painful & nothing was okay! You also remind us that even then life is good & choices made can lead us out of the dark.
…and I can soooo relate to your shiv a bitch moments too!😉☕️
sooooooooo much shiving 😀
Wow! Thx for sharing such an intimate side of yourself. I try everyday to be good and to see more positive than negative. This makes me want to try harder. Thx
Some days… it’s really hard *nods*
That’s a great story & life moment. Thanks for sharing.
<3 <3
I was one of the younger siblings to a fantastic older sister who used to share her one scoop ice cream with the rest of us hungering herd. One lick apiece until it was gone. She showed us how to love. Thank you for the story, it warms my heart. Happy holidays and may the coming year bring you joy, health and many plot bunnies. Yes, I am that selfish. I want the product of the plot bunnies. Hugs.
awwwwwwwwwwww smooches
Thanks for sharing! Enjoy the holiday season and may next year bring you joy and more success Hugs! 🙂
Dee
hugs and love <3
That is a pretty powerful reminder that what we do resonates in ways we will likely never know about.
Smooches and have a good holidays!
Beautiful post, Rhys. Happy Holidays!! 😀
smoooches
Reblogged this on Books,Coffee & Captured Moments and commented:
<3 Rhys, thank you for sharing this story. <3
Smooches <3
Merry Christmas Rhys, to you and yours. Keep having faith.
Merry Christmas to you! <3