70 Comments
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Ilona Goanos's avatar

I enjoyed reading every minute of this piece of your memoir, Paulette! I was fascinated to learn that you used to be a hair dresser. Love the imagery of Jesus changing your tire…And thank you, Holly, for your generosity in sharing. Well done, ladies 🩵

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Thank you for reading, Ilona. I'm so happy you enjoyed it.

Ha, ha, yes, I was what was then considered "a men's hair stylist". A lifetime ago and only yesterday.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Isn’t it funny how many things are both a lifetime ago and yesterday?

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Holly Starley's avatar

Right?! isn’t that a fantastic image? The encounters we have with people who are just helpers by nature, are such a beautiful reminder of the goodness in the world. I’m really grateful to all those who contribute to this collection for giving me the opportunity to hold that goodness up to the light.

Thanks so much for reading and commenting , Ilona.

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Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

Inspired by Paulette's perfect retelling & on a quest to remember other good people this Sunday morning, I'm sending you my KINDNESS story. Have a wonderful day Holly! ~J

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Wonderful! I’m thrilled you are inspired by the story, Janice.

Holly is incredibly generous in sharing other writers’ stories of kindness and weaving them together to reveal our shared humanity.

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Holly Starley's avatar

🥰

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Holly Starley's avatar

Oh! Intrigued!!

I think it’s wise to go on a quest for kindness as often as possible.

Thank you, thank you for reading, Janice. Great to touch base with you the other day by the way, even if it was brief.

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Harriet Grae's avatar

Thanks for sharing this clear, heartfelt, humorous story, Paulette. It's so comforting to read a story about a man who understands that he may seem like a threat even though he's not, and protects a woman's sense of safety rather than his own ego. Need more of them. Thanks for sharing his example with the world.

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Harriet, I’m delighted you enjoyed the piece and felt its humor. Yes!! Isn’t that so true - I can remember viscerally how gentle of a man he was. His clear intent was to do his best to ease my fears and be of service.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Yes, clear, heartfelt, and humorous are the perfect descriptors for the story. And I felt the same about the man’s willingness to understand that he could be seeing as someone who posed a threat, Harriet. Thank you so much for reading and commenting.

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Sherry V. Chidwick's avatar

I loved this story. Thank you, both of you, for sharing it here. 💜

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Oh, I’m thrilled you loved this story, Sherry.

Holly is generous in sharing other writers, and I’m very grateful.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Thank you, Sherry, for reading and commenting. 💕

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Rona Maynard's avatar

I am hungry for stories like this little gem. Thank you, Holly and Paulette.

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Thank you for reading, Rona. I'm so thrilled you enjoyed it.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Me too, Rona! I feel so fortunate to receive them in my inbox.

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Kendall Lamb's avatar

Oh wow, that landing. Brava. Just exactly the way I needed to enter into this Easter Sunday. ✨️

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Thank you so much, Kendall. I’m happy you enjoyed the piece.

Wishing you a beautiful day.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Right?! Brought home perfectly. And yes, a terrific start to Easter.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

So good!!!!

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Thanks for reading, Deirdre!

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Holly Starley's avatar

Right?! Agreed. 💕💕

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Nan Tepper's avatar

I love this story. I've read it before, and am warmed to know that kindness lives among us. I just finished reading the story Rona Maynard published today. Complete opposite of this one and a young girl snatched from her own life. Thanks for softening the anger and sadness I was feeling about how cruel life can be with this beautiful tale of generosity. Love to both you, Paulette, and to Holly as well! xo

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Thanks for rereading, Nan. I haven't yet read Rona's post, I will in a day or two, when I feel I can. Life can be cruel, and shining the light on these tales is an antidote to these troubling times. Love back to you. xo

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Holly Starley's avatar

Thanks, Nan! ❤️

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Donna McArthur's avatar

Holly, thank you for sharing Paulette with us!

This is a poignant piece that pulls tenderly on our heartstrings. I appreciated the lack of understanding you shared when your brother told you he found Jesus, how you questioned him on what that means, exactly. I think it's a question many of us hold. Then you show us where Jesus lies in our own lives - in the compassion and caring of others, in the being brave within ourselves when we are stuck, and in the recognition and gratitude of the gifts that present in unexpected ways. Thank you for the gorgeous essay Paulette.

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Oh, Donna, thank you very much for the careful reading and thoughtful comments. I appreciate you taking the time. While I haven’t been a practicing Catholic for many years, it does seem essential to find our unique path and expression to the essence of Jesus' teachings and how they are showing up in our daily lives.

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Donna McArthur's avatar

I agree Paulette. We each come to the wisdom teachers from a different place and in a different way. Perhaps the key is being able to see what's happening and allow ourselves to be changed by it regardless of how it shows up or how we arrive there.

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Yes, Donna, that makes so much sense to me.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Awww. So beautifully put, Donna. 🥰

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Gorgeous story. Happy Easter. 🐇👏🙏🐣

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Thanks for reading and your lovely comment.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Thanks do reading and commenting, my friend.

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Sophie S.'s avatar

We all need to hear and experience more stories like this in the world of today - thanks for sharing this one with us Paulette and Holly ❤️

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Yes, Sophie, we really do. Thanks for reading and commenting.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Yes we do. I think remembering there is goodness in the world is an important part of having hope and resisting what isn’t good.

Thank you much for reading and commenting, Sophie . 💕

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Kimberly Warner's avatar

Brilliant story. Brilliant ending!

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Thank you so very much, Kimberly!

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Holly Starley's avatar

Right?! I love a sweet message that’s also a fun read.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Loved it! Thanks for sharing, both of you!

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Thanks for reading, dear Jeanine!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

It was wonderful Paulette.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Thanks, Jeanine!

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Wonderfully told and perfectly timed! Thank you, both, for bringing this one into the light. The Light!

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Thank you for the high compliment, Elizabeth! I appreciate you reading and for commenting.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Yes! Bringing kindness into the light!!

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Holly Starley's avatar

Paulette, thank you, thank you for your wonderful contribution to the kindness collection. Love it. 🥰🥰🥰

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

You’re so welcome, and thanks for having me!

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Beautifully written and so well constructed.

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Thank you so much for the compliment, Jeffrey! I appreciate you reading and commenting.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Right?! Thank you for reading and commenting, my friend.

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