Spring 2022 / Kindness of strangers

The Spring of 2022 arrived with a fury and departed much the same. The world watched war consume Ukraine. The Covid-19 virus continued to breed suspicion and illness. High gas prices and inflation ravaged the American pocketbook.  But for every negative, the human spirit reminded us how much the world relies on the kindness of strangers – the kindness of Chicas and Compañeros who hear the call to lead and respond with their time and talents.

Internationally, in response to the helpless feeling of the war in Ukraine, thousands of citizens from around the world joined an International Legion of soldiers the likes of which has not been seen since before World War II when thousands rallied behind the Civil War in Spain.  The kindness of strangers from more than 52 countries has resulted in the multi-national unity found in Fight for Ukraine. The Clever Chicas Project celebrates their kindness with hope for a safe and sudden end to their service and the conflict.

Our Project also extends hope and gratitude for the front-line workers still devoted, more than two years in, to supporting the needs and concerns of the American public combatting the fears and genuine health dangers surrounding the Covid-19 virus.  From the store workers still mediating disputes between the masked and the non-masked to the health care providers keeping us all safe, thank you for sacrificing your lives and personal safety to help your fatigued and often fearful fellow man – the strangers in your local and global communities.

Finally, we celebrate the long-haul drivers and the folks at the counter who answer our questions about out-of-stock items that seem to get more costly when they do finally arrive on the shelves. Those folks are countering the same high prices at the pump to drive to work and the same long hours when staffing is an issue. Still, they stand ready – smiling and answering our questions and absorbing our frustration. 

That's the American way. Yes. Amid all the confusion and all the difficulties, that willingness to go to work and meet a public of our peers is there – shining brightly as it does in places like the Walgreens in Belleair Bluffs, Florida. With a line of 11 cars in the drive through and 8 people in the inside line – on a day when the pharmacy was down at least one worker – the young woman smiled at each customer, saying, 'It sure is nice to see you.'  It was nice to see her, too.

Thank you, Strangers, for all of the kindness. May we meet you with the same.