I was told never to take candy from strangers.
So I didn’t.
I took a whole lunch, and I ate every bite.
I’ve written once before about my love for the community in which I work. Today reminded me again that I have landed in the right place.
I had just returned to my somewhat rundown host church after stepping across the parking lot for coffee and was about to close my office door behind me when I heard a tentative, “Ma’am?”
I turned and saw a tiny woman I did not recognize.
“Ma’am, have you had any lunch today?”
She turned and gestured toward the battered desk which serves as the church’s Sunday reception area. There rested a half-empty platter covered with plastic.
“Would you like to try some Indonesian food? I made it for a prayer breakfast but others also brought food, and the turnout was small.”
The woman brought the plate to my door, where I still stood. This was unexpected. She appeared to mistake my hesitation.
“These are made from sticky rice and coconut milk. The dark one is sweet and has brown sugar. The other isn’t sweet, and it has tuna in it.” Almost apologetically, she added, “I come from an island. We learned to use what we had.”
The lovely, moist rectangles were plated on banana leaves.
I was overwhelmed by her simple kindness. I hurried to get a tissue to use as a plate. A tissue? Well, I am a therapist, after all.
I thanked her profusely.
“Let me think if I have something I can give you,” I said stupidly.
“Oh no,” she said. “You don’t need to give me anything for them. Please—take as many as you want.”
I hadn’t been thinking to pay her, only to share a part of my self in return. I had been visualizing my sandwich, orange, and hardboiled egg. Who would want those? It’s ridiculous, I know. But that was what popped into my mind as I scanned my brain for a gesture of communion.
I ate the rice cakes at the desk where I am now writing. The savory one was a type of tuna sandwich which hinted of ginger. The sweet one was a gooey delight. Without the banana leaf beneath them, the fragrant cakes had become hopelessly grafted to the tissue. I ate them paper and all.
Rita is no longer a stranger.
Family Rules 
Charming! Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks, Josh! If I ever meet you, I suspect it will be whiskey we will be sharing, LOL. I noticed a lot of whiskey in 12,000 Year Old Whisper 🙂
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My mouth is watering, and you are amazing.
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Eve, I could just hug you, girl.
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I love stories about the simple kindness of others.
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You write very good ones! I always enjoy them so much.
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Thank you!!! 🙂
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And here you are! I have lived in Indonesia – deliciously fascinating foods and fruits and very friendly people.
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Chatting with you actually helped me be able to go ahead and post this–and enjoy it–even though I do not have everything figured out!
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This is beautiful, genuine, and hopeful. I loved it.
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Thank you, Marylin! It caught me by surprise.
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Ah, those wonderful, unexpected encounters!
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Yes. I had the best day today!
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that’s so sweet 🙂
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I just never know what the day will bring 🙂
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Will be keeping an eye out for indonesian treats 🙂 Love it
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Lovely. The kindness of strangers always moves me to tears…and strangers no more 🙂 I love Indonesian food (my mom grew up there). What a treat.
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That was my first exposure, and it was fab.
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Delightfully sweet story.
So glad to see you posting again.
Mind you, my reading of posts and posting schedule is a bit off since this is when my crazy season is in full swing – – Holiday rush, After holiday reset, year end reports, then tax time. So forgive my sporadic presence… still I’m around.
Hope your week is off to a great start!
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Thanks, A! No worries at all. I am not going to be on WordPress as much this year. Kind of got burned out and am going to take it slower. So likewise–don’t be offended if I don’t catch all your posts.
Be kind to yourself during this busy time! I know that must be hard. You have a lot on your plate!
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Sounds good…
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Looks delicious 😉
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It was! 🙂
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