Kindness – Cynthia Reyes

Childhood, Children with disabilities, Courage, Inspirational, Joyful Moments, Kindness, The Gift of Mobility

Inspired to Act

April 5, 2019 Cynthia Reyes

What makes a person decide to step up and help someone far away?

Last week, I promised to tell you about my son-in-law’s recent experience.

Tim is based on the west coast and manages big projects in the corporate world. A year ago, Tim had a skiing accident that injured his knee and required major surgery. It left him struggling to get around. Then something else happened.

The story and photos Tim shared with our family are so moving that I asked him to tell you the story – his story – directly.

A GIFT OF MOBILITY

by Tim McCarthy

Recovering from a broken knee and the installation of three pins was not fun.

Then my uncle Jack McCarthy told me about CanUgan, a Canadian-based charity he supports.

Blog Photo - CanUgan - Jack with Mayor & Dep Mayor of Kasese — **Mayor**
Kabbyanga Baluku Godfrey Kime, with Jack McCarthy &
**Deputy Mayor**
Baluku Peter

Its mission is to provide medical assistance technologies to people with disabilities in the Kasese District of Uganda.

When I learned about the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities there and CanUgan’s focus on building local capacity, I felt compelled to support through fundraising. Months later, my uncle asked me to come with him to Uganda to see for myself.

Blog Photo - CanUgan - Women with crutches and cane

In Uganda, Robert, a local board member in the Kasese district, told us about a 12-year old girl we would meet: Katisume Florence.

Four years prior, when she was just 8 years-old, Florence contracted fistula and lost the ability to walk. Her parents carried her short distances around the yard. She would also drag herself on the ground, sometimes in the mud.

What would a 12 year old who had undergone such adversity be like? Hardened? Broken? Sad? I didn’t know what to expect.

We arrived at Florence’s home early in the morning. Word quickly spread that “mzungus” (foreign visitors) had arrived with the deputy mayor, Peter. A crowd formed around him as he introduced us to the community and Florence.

Blog Photo - CanUgan - Florence 1

One of Peter’s fellow board members brought a wheelchair, donated by our local partner organization, KADUPEDI, and presented it to Florence.

She was confused at first. Apparently she had no expectation that she’d ever receive a wheelchair even when it was 20 feet away from her. She approached the chair hesitantly. Peter quickly instructed her on how to pull herself up. She nodded, gave it a moment’s consideration then pulled herself up into the seat.

She smiled. Peter tapped the side-bars on the tires and reminded her to use them to propel the chair forward and backward. Her smile grew and she started rolling, picking up some decent speed before stopping about 20 feet later.

She received some instruction on turning, and she turned herself around. She sped back towards us and went 20 feet in the other direction before turning around again. As she made her way back to us is when I took the picture.

Blog Photo - Florence — Katisume Florence

At the time, I was inspired by her courage, determination and sheer joy at being able to move independently.

It was days later, when reviewing the picture, that I noticed the terrible sores on her knees. It was only then that I really stopped to think about how painful and miserable the last four years’ struggle must have been for this child and her family.

I was inspired and humbled.

Tim has a strong social conscience, but as you can tell, his experience in Kasese was profound. He has raised $3,000 in donations for CanUgan’s 2019 operating year. Such donations help provide individuals with items from hearing aids to wheelchairs.

Blog Photo - CanUgan Boy in Transport device

To donate: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/canugan-disability-support/

A Good Home, Book Interviews, Book lovers, Book Reviews, Christmas Decorations, Good wishes, Gratitude, Kindness, Laughter, Life Challenges

Incredible You

December 16, 2014 Cynthia Reyes

Readers of this blog and A Good Home have encouraged my family and me through some crazy times this year.

You’ve consoled and encouraged me in the domestic arts, including the two times I tried making outdoor Christmas arrangements! Several readers offered compliments, tips, commiseration, inspiration.

And Arna sent me this photo.

“I told you I have a planter like yours!” she said.

Yes, Arna, but yours is far more assured.

From last fall to this spring, I had to abandon virtually all my book-related activities and take to my bed.

Some of you decided to help. You bought my book, and wrote wonderful reviews.

Phil reviewed A Good Home for an American book website last year, then created computer-assisted images promoting the book.

John G. took my book with him on his annual canoe trip, then wrote a review too.

In Avery, Texas, 90 year old Lou Mathis and his wife Aggie were themselves struggling this September. Their farm business was suffering because of its name, “Isis”. (Isis was the ancient Egyptian goddess, but in today’s climate, not a popular name.)

Lou asked on their blog: “WHAT DO YOU THINK? For some reason I refuse to give up the… ISIS FARMS. But would painting the sign OVER IN GREEN……”

I asked you to reply to Lou and Aggie and many of you did. Wonderful, caring replies that helped them make their decision. It’s now called “Aggie’s Farm”.

Photo by Aggie's Farm — Photos by Aggie’s Farm

In October, Canada’s national radio network, CBC, aired my interview with celebrated host Shelagh Rogers.

I’d been nervous about it. But people like John V. wrote to my blog afterwards:

“I heard you speak on the radio about healing and it gave me perspective and hope for my own circumstances. Sincere thanks for sharing.”

Such validation for a book completed in dire times!

On crazily painful days, I often forced myself to write poems, making fun of myself and my home life. Some (like Stiletto Heels) became blog posts, which made you laugh, uplifting me in return.

Andra wrote: “I absolutely howled with laughter reading this. Thanks, Cynthia! Have had similar thoughts watching the young ladies strutting about in high heels and skimpy dresses in inclement weather. And like you, I recall being just as foolish back in the day. Great poem.”

Then, without warning this fall, life changed perilously. My husband nearly died.

Titled No Words, my poem expressed the raw agony our family experienced.

In reply, you warmly supported us with prayers, consolation and good wishes.

Incredible kindness, especially because I’ve never met most of you in person.

“Thank you” hardly seems enough. But thank you, anyway.

For your kindness.

And for being part of my world.

My best,

Cynthia.

A Good Home, Afternoon Tea, Friendship, Gardens, Joyful Moments, July Garden, Kindness, Nature, Ontario, Outdoor Living, Red currants, Relationships, Summer Garden, Vegetable Garden, Vegetables

Food, Friends, Verandah

August 24, 2014August 26, 2014 Cynthia Reyes

Everybody was complaining about summer.

Not me.

After a painful several months – much of it spent in bed – I welcomed the summer by taking to the verandah.

Colourful cushions, simple wood furniture and time-worn rugs created a homey feel.

A verandah is a place for serious summer reading….

Or some serious hanging out….

In the nearby garden, sometimes it rained and hailed and the wind was crazy.

But flowers bloomed everywhere.

Birds sang.

The air was fresh.

Family and friends came to visit.

Some invited themselves, which I loved.

“How are you coping these days?”

“I’ve taken to the verandah,” I replied.

“I’m coming to visit!”

It was the summer of the verandah. Of kindness and affection. Laughter and quiet moments.

My editor Tim, returning home to South Africa, spent most of his last week in Canada with our family. He held court on the verandah like an eminence grise, saying wise, cryptic and funny things to everyone.

Some people wondered how he’d handle returning to a country which he left decades ago. Tim’s enigmatic reply: “Did I mention I’ll have the use of a heated swimming pool?”

“Long way to go for a heated swimming pool,” we laughed.

Of course, one should always feed one’s visitors. Despite one’s lack of cooking talent.

“You are the best cook I’ve ever met,” Tim declared, straight-faced, to loud laughter.

I swatted him with my dinner napkin. He complained – theatrically – of “the abuses I suffer in your home”.

We alternated between joking, serious talk and companionable silence. If tears were hovering, we didn’t let them show. This man has been a stalwart friend to me through life’s challenging times and I shall miss him.

Marilyn visited next. Marilyn’s the doyenne of tea (See Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas.) She kindly admired my floral arrangement and I wisely served a cold lunch… no cooking required.

“I caught that salmon, smoked it and sliced it,” I lied.

“Well done,” she praised, playing along.

Seriously, though: the lettuce, tomatoes and red currants came from our garden.

Longtime friend Dale arrived late one night, on her way back home from visiting family out west. I made breakfast, the only thing I cook consistently well, and we caught up on family news.

Marie, who lives way up north, took an evening break from her role in an important cross-country hearing. My husband cooked supper that day, as he did for my childhood friend, Angela and her family. Wonderful occasions.

Jacqui dropped in and lucked into one of the nicest dishes I made this summer.

“But this is GOOD!” she declared.

“Don’t tell anyone!” I pleaded. “You’ll ruin my reputation.”

Anthony Trollope once asked: “What on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book and a cup of coffee?”

My answer: “A verandah, a garden, and loved ones to share them with.”

Dedicated, with a grateful heart, to my caring family and friends… and everyone who appreciates a verandah.

A Good Home, Customer Service, Home, Kindness, Kitchens

Customer Service Isn’t Dead

April 15, 2014April 16, 2014 Cynthia Reyes

My daughter and I were on an errand in the outer reaches of northeast Toronto.

“I need a coffee”, she said.

A minute later, a McDonald’s sign came into view.

Image via wkipedia — Image via wikipedia

“Would McDonald’s do?”

“Sure,” she replied.

So we pulled into the plaza and found our way to the drive-in lane for McDonald’s. We ordered two coffees – one for her and one for me – and drove away, smiling.

“Did you notice how professional that young woman was?” I asked.

“Absolutely!” my daughter answered. “I love the way she dealt with us. So polite, and so professional.”

“Someone should tell her boss,” I said. “I’m betting most customers don’t bother to do that.”

But we hadn’t taken note of her name, so we drove back to find out and tell her boss.

The manager leaned down to our car window. We told her that her employee had provided the best customer service that both my daughter and I had ever come across at a fast-food restaurant.

“Thanks for doing this,” she said.

“Maybe someone should tell head office,” I said.

“I can give you the email address to write. Would you mind doing that?”

I shook my head. “Not at all. I’d be glad to.”

She wrote down the name of the employee and the email address for head office.

And then I lost the piece of paper. And forgot my good intentions.

Months later, on another errand nearby, I stopped at McDonald’s again for coffee, looked up to pay for my order and –- it was the same young woman. The one whose name I’d forgotten.

Again, she was courteous. Again, she acted as if I was the most welcome customer. And as if hers was the best job in the whole world. Now – no disrespect to McDonald’s – but how can someone who works at a drive-through window act as if hers is the best job in the whole world? Yet, this young woman did.

“May I please ask your name?”

“Maria,” she said.

“Maria!” I said. “Thank you.”

image via Moen website — image via Moen.ca website

Weeks earlier, our kitchen faucet went on the blink. My husband went to two hardware stores to find the part, but failed. He ended up calling the manufacturer of the faucet, Moen.

He put down the phone in shock. “Their customer service is amazing,” he said.

Not only had Moen promised to ship him the necessary parts, free of charge, but the person on the phone made my husband feel as if his was the most important call she’d received all day. My husband could hardly believe it.

“Moen is like that,” I reminded him. “Some years ago, when our other faucet needed repairs, it was the same thing. Although the faucet was a few years old, Moen quickly offered to send us the replacement part. Don’t you remember? I was as shocked as you are now.”

“So customer service isn’t really dead,” he said, smiling.

Some days, it sure feels like customer service is headed for extinction. And sometimes, big companies seem to be the worst offenders.

But we are most thankful for these delightful exceptions. They proved our assumptions wrong.

N.B to my readers: If this sounds like advertisement for these companies, be assured I have no connection to either one. Nor is this a ploy to get free coffee at McDonalds!

This post is dedicated to Maria, and to all the people in this world who go over and above to provide courteous and efficient service to their customers.